In the Kroll March 2025 whitepaper, Colleen Corwell and David Larsen cover the retailization of private fund assets via registered investment companies (“RIC”) transforming the investment landscape, offering retail investors access to opportunities once reserved for institutions. According to the XA Investments research team, referenced in the paper, combined interval fund/tender offer fund market assets are forecasted to reach $220 billion and 275-plus funds by year-end in 2025. In 2025, private credit is expected to continue dominating capital raising and new fund formations due to strong client demand for yield.

Endowments and pension funds have shifted their asset allocation from public markets to include private investments. These strategic shifts reflect a broader trend among institutional investors seeking higher returns and unique opportunities in private markets. Several factors have driven this shift including higher returns, diversification, and access to unique opportunities. In addition, given the decline in the number of public companies, achieving true diversification without an allocation to private markets is difficult. The surge of interest in the retailization of private funds is driven by several key factors including a better understanding of risks and improved controls, technological advancements, and increased retail interest in private fund returns.
Launching a RIC with illiquid assets requires selecting the appropriate fund type and structure to ensure compliance and meet investor needs. “There are a number of unique legal, compliance, distribution and marketing hurdles, which are quite different for these types of funds, that private fund sponsors will need to grapple with,” says Bill Bielefeld, a partner at Dechert LLP.
“Launching a RIC such as an interval fund is a lengthy process (six-plus months) and requires a committed working group. Most private fund sponsors do not have experience with interval fund structuring, so consulting outside experts is critical to saving time and money,” notes Kimberly Flynn, President of XA Investments.
By understanding these regulatory requirements and implementing best practices, fund managers can successfully launch and manage interval funds that provide retail investors with access to private fund assets, thereby democratizing investment opportunities and potentially enhancing portfolio returns. To read the full paper, click here.