Institutional liquidity and turnkey trading infrastructure supporting over 1,500 instruments
KYC requiredSpot · Margin +2Futures & perpetualsBank transfer · Card
AF
Architect Financial
Derivatives trading firm operating AX perpetual futures and US-regulated brokerage subsidiaries
3.5/ 5
Our score
Good
KYC required
Yes
Accepts US customers
No
What is Architect Financial?
Architect Financial Technologies is a financial trading technology and derivatives firm founded in 2023. The company operates AX, an offshore centralized perpetual futures exchange run through Architect Bermuda Ltd, alongside domestic brokerage entities regulated in the United States.
Leadership and backing
The firm was founded by Chief Executive Officer Brett Harrison, former Head of Trading Systems Technology at Jane Street Capital. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the company has raised $52 million in total venture funding. Backers include Miami International Holdings (MIAX), Tioga Capital, Coinbase Ventures, Circle, SV Angel, and Third Kind Venture Capital. A December 2025 Series A funding round secured $35 million at a $187 million post-money valuation.
Trading products and architecture
The firm runs two primary operational branches. Its international exchange arm, AX, delivers continuous 23/7 perpetual futures markets on traditional financial asset classes and compute resources under Bermuda Monetary Authority oversight. In the United States, Architect provides institutional and retail order execution through Architect Financial Derivatives LLC and Architect Securities LLC. Traders access domestic futures and equity markets without direct perpetual contract trading.
Regulation and geographic access
Architect maintains distinct regulatory registrations across jurisdictions. Architect Financial Derivatives LLC is an Independent Introducing Broker overseen by the CFTC, and Architect Securities LLC operates as a FINRA-registered introducing broker-dealer. The AX perpetuals exchange operates under the Investment Business Act and Digital Asset Business Act from the Bermuda Monetary Authority. Due to federal derivatives laws, AX products are strictly unavailable to United States persons.
Risks and considerations
Traders using AX hold counterparty and custodial exposure to an offshore centralized exchange entity in Bermuda, which lacks CFTC and SEC consumer account protections. Perpetual contracts carry liquidation and leverage risks during periods of extreme price volatility. Access to offshore contracts requires mandatory identity verification, excluding all US-based participants from international perpetual markets.
Founders
Brett HarrisonFounder and Chief Executive Officer
Best for:Non-US perpetual futures tradersUS institutional derivatives clientsHigh-frequency institutional trading desks
Pros and cons
Pros
- FINRA regulatory registration for domestic US brokerage operations
- Perpetual contracts trade continuous 23/7 market schedules
- Led by former Jane Street trading systems technologist Brett Harrison
- Raised $52M from institutional investors including MIAX and Coinbase Ventures
Cons
- AX perpetual futures exchange is unavailable to US residents
- Funds held on AX carry offshore centralized custody counterparty exposure
- Offshore perpetual accounts lack US CFTC and SEC investor insurance protections
- Strict KYC verification required to access all trading services
Our review
3.5/5
Good
Architect delivers regulated perpetual derivatives backed by strong venture funding, but separates its offshore futures exchange from US residents while focusing primarily on institutional-grade contracts.
Architect Financial Technologies bridges traditional derivatives trading and digital market infrastructure. Founded in 2023 by Brett Harrison, a former trading systems technologist at Jane Street Capital, the Chicago-based firm has secured $52M in total venture backing. Notable participants include Miami International Holdings (MIAX), Tioga Capital, and Coinbase Ventures. Architect is structurally split: its Bermuda-regulated affiliate, Architect Bermuda Ltd, runs AX, a centralized perpetual futures exchange, while its US arms operate as registered introducing brokerages under CFTC and FINRA oversight.
A core strength is this multi-jurisdictional compliance framework. In the United States, Architect Financial Derivatives LLC holds registration as an Independent Introducing Broker, and Architect Securities LLC is a FINRA-registered introducing broker-dealer. Internationally, AX operates under the Bermuda Monetary Authority's Investment Business Act and Digital Asset Business Act. This structure offers institutional counterparties clear legal counterparty segregation, separating high-frequency futures trading on compute and traditional classes from standard retail exposure.
The trade-offs reflect its institutional orientation. AX perpetual contracts are not accessible to US persons, who cannot trade offshore derivatives under CFTC jurisdiction. In addition, Architect does not serve standard retail spot altcoin traders looking for broad token selections or earn programs. The platform concentrates on derivatives, compute-linked contracts, and regulated execution rather than consumer crypto conveniences like mobile card purchases or consumer staking.
Architect suits professional trading desks and quantitative funds that require low-latency architecture and regulated introducing brokers. Retail traders seeking simple spot token swaps, Web3 yield products, or casual app trading should choose a conventional consumer exchange instead.
Sources (1)
Specs
| Markets | Futures · unverified |
|---|---|
| KYC required ⓘ | Yes · unverified |
| Accepts US customers | No · unverified |
| Licenses & registrations | NFA Independent Introducing Broker (CFTC), FINRA / SEC Introducing Broker-Dealer, Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA) · unverified |
| Futures & perpetuals | Yes · unverified |
Not disclosed by the provider: Maker fee, Taker fee, Coins listed, Fiat deposit methods, Proof of reserves, Staking / earn, Mobile app, Security features, Max leverage (x), Copy trading, P2P market, Earn / savings products, User protection fund, Referral program.
Data from the provider's website and public sources. Fees and availability change; confirm on the official site before you sign up.
Key features
Continuous market operation
AX runs perpetual futures trading 23 hours a day, 7 days a week across traditional assets and AI compute costs.
CFTC-registered derivatives brokerage
Architect Financial Derivatives LLC operates as an Independent Introducing Broker for US derivatives markets.
SEC and FINRA broker-dealer
Architect Securities LLC acts as a registered introducing broker-dealer for domestic securities and security derivatives.
Bermuda-licensed exchange infrastructure
Architect Bermuda Ltd operates under Digital Asset Business Act oversight from the Bermuda Monetary Authority.
Institutional omnibus access
Institutional clients can trade via omnibus brokerage structures alongside direct eligible retail accounts.
Inside Architect Financial
AX
A centralized perpetual futures exchange operating under Bermuda Monetary Authority oversight, offering trading for traditional financial asset classes and compute.
Architect Financial Derivatives LLC
An Independent Introducing Broker providing access to CFTC-regulated derivatives markets for US institutions and retail participants.
Architect Securities LLC
A FINRA- and SEC-registered introducing broker-dealer designed for regulated securities and security derivatives execution.
American Innovation Exchange
A planned US Designated Contract Market structured for futures and options trading on AI compute costs and supply chain components.
User reviews
No user reviews yet. Have you used Architect Financial? Share your experience below.
Funding and investors
$52MTotal raised
3Rounds
3Investors
-
Series A Dec 2025 $35M
-
Seed Feb 2024 $12M
-
Pre-Seed Jan 2023 $5M
FAQ
Who founded Architect Financial?
Architect Financial was founded in 2023 by Brett Harrison, former Head of Trading Systems Technology at Jane Street Capital. He is the company's Chief Executive Officer.
Can US residents trade perpetual futures on Architect AX?
No, perpetual futures on the AX platform are operated by Architect Bermuda Ltd and are not accessible to US persons. US clients instead access CFTC- and SEC-regulated products through Architect's domestic brokerage entities.
What regulatory licenses does Architect hold?
Architect holds an Independent Introducing Broker registration under the CFTC and a FINRA/SEC introducing broker-dealer registration in the US. Its offshore exchange entity, Architect Bermuda Ltd, is regulated by the Bermuda Monetary Authority.
How much venture funding has Architect raised?
Architect has raised $52 million in venture funding through October 2026. Backers include Miami International Holdings, Tioga Capital, Coinbase Ventures, Circle, and SV Angel.
What types of assets are traded on AX?
AX provides perpetual futures contracts centered on traditional financial asset classes and compute costs. It operates continuous trading sessions outside typical exchange trading hours.
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