Alpaca Enters UK and EU Market through WealthKernel Acquisition
Alpaca, a self-clearing broker-dealer and brokerage infrastructure API, intends to acquire WealthKernel, a wealthtech firm specializing in digital investment infrastructure and tax-advantaged products. This strategic acquisition will bring WealthKernel’s UK and EU licensed brokerage infrastructure to Alpaca, supporting their rapid global expansion to achieve its mission of opening financial services to everyone on the planet.
"The acquisition of WealthKernel is a major step for Alpaca in becoming a truly global brokerage infrastructure. WealthKernel has gained a highly regarded reputation in the UK and EU through working closely with a number of financial institutions," said Yoshi Yokokawa, CEO of Alpaca. "With WealthKernel joining us, we’re directly entering the UK and EU, enhancing our support of global institutions that desire regulated investing across borders."
WealthKernel brings wealth management capabilities, including Individual Savings Account (ISAs), Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPPs), and other tax-advantaged accounts, complementing Alpaca’s trading infrastructure. Alpaca, which has long supported their UK and EU partners, now gains the ability to act as a fully authorized broker-dealer through WealthKernel’s licenses.
The deal unites a strong team with deep expertise in brokerage operations, compliance, and financial technology—leveraging shared tech and compliance frameworks. Further strengthening this foundation, Alpaca’s recently appointed CFO, Nadia Asoyan, brings seasoned fintech leadership from prior executive roles at Robinhood and Square. The combined organization will continue global operations, with key hubs in North America, Europe, and Asia.
This intended acquisition reinforces Alpaca’s position as a full-stack, global brokerage infrastructure provider, enabling brokers, banks, and fintechs to launch trading, custody, and wealth products quickly, compliantly, and at scale. Earlier this year, Kraken strategically partnered with Alpaca to deliver commission-free US equities trading to their US clients and joined as one of their 200+ global partners.
Norbert Gehrke
