Architect Financial Technologies Secures $35 Million in Strategic Series A Funding to Accelerate Growth of Perpetual Futures Exchange

Chicago-based fintech Architect Financial Technologies Inc. has announced the successful closing of a $35 million Series A funding round, marking a major milestone in its rapid growth trajectory since its founding in early 2023. The new capital infusion is earmarked primarily for scaling AX, the company’s pioneering perpetual futures exchange platform that offers institutional investors access to a wide range of traditional asset classes under a regulated framework.

The Series A round was uniquely anchored by a collaboration between Miami International Holdings, Inc. (MIAX) leading the investment effort and Tioga Capital contributing strategic venture expertise, both of which are playing prominent roles in the broader financial and technology investment ecosystem. Additional participation came from a global roster of financial services companies, underscoring strong institutional confidence in Architect’s vision and execution. These participating investors include Galaxy Ventures, a diversified technology investor, ARK Invest, known for its thematic innovation approach, VanEck, a global asset management firm, Trumid, an electronic bond trading platform, and Geneva Trading, a proprietary trading firm.

In addition to new backers, several returning investors reaffirmed their confidence in Architect by participating in the round. These include Coinbase Ventures, the venture arm of Coinbase focused on crypto innovation,Strobe Ventures, an early supporter of fintech infrastructure projects, CMT Digital, a digital asset trading firm, and Third Kind Venture Capital, an early-stage investor in technology startups. Together with earlier funding activities, this latest round brings the company’s total capital raised to approximately $52 million since inception.

Architect’s flagship product AX is notable for being one of the first regulated exchanges to offer perpetual futures contracts across traditional financial assets, including foreign currencies, interest rates, single stocks, stock indexes, metals, and various commodities. By combining institutional regulatory oversight with advanced market access, the platform seeks to bridge the gap between traditional derivatives markets and the agility often found in crypto-native trading environments.

Founded by Brett Harrison, a seasoned financial technologist who previously served as President of FTX US and held senior roles at Citadel Securities and Jane Street, Architect has steadily expanded its product portfolio and regulatory footprint since its launch in 2023. Harrison has emphasized that the Series A funding will play a crucial role in accelerating AX’s market adoption among hedge funds, institutional trading desks, family offices, asset managers, and other sophisticated investors.

The funding comes against a backdrop of increasing interest in institutional derivatives and cross-asset trading platforms that provide both security and innovation. Perpetual futures, popularized originally in cryptocurrency markets, have captured significant interest from traditional traders seeking 24/7 liquidity and leverage without the expiration constraints of standard futures contracts. Architect’s approach integrates regulatory compliance with this demand, positioning the company as a potential leader in a rapidly evolving niche.

Industry observers note that the nature of this investor roster — blending exchange operators, asset managers, proprietary trading firms, and venture capital — reflects a broader trend in which capital markets infrastructure startups are attracting cross-sector support. This diversity of backing suggests confidence not only in Architect’s technology but also in the broader market opportunity presented by regulated perpetual futures trading.

Architect’s leadership has signaled that upcoming initiatives will center on enhancing AX’s functionality, expanding geographic access, and onboarding new institutional participants. While specific product rollouts and partnerships are being developed, the company’s Series A funding serves as a pivotal benchmark in its mission to modernize derivatives trading technology for a global audience.