Morgan Stanley Agrees To Acquire EquityZen, Terms Not Disclosed; Transaction Expected To Close In Early 2026

Author: Benzinga Newsdesk | October 29, 2025 09:24am

• Strengthens Morgan Stanley's leadership position in private markets by enabling clients to better access and trade shares in private market companies
• Establishes an issuer-aligned model that combines deep expertise in cap table management with a scaled private shares marketplace
• Supports Morgan Stanley's efforts to deepen relationships with private market companies across the Integrated Firm

Morgan Stanley today announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire leading private shares platform, EquityZen. The acquisition enhances Morgan Stanley's distinctive private markets ecosystem that provides a full suite of services to private companies and their shareholders, including cap table solutions, tender and liquidity programs, direct and co-investment opportunities, and secondary trading. EquityZen's issuer-aligned model will support the Firm's efforts to deepen relationships with private companies. This will provide Morgan Stanley at Work participants access to additional liquidity options as well as increase access to private shares for Morgan Stanley's Wealth clients.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including obtaining applicable regulatory approvals, and is expected to close in early 2026. EquityZen is headquartered in New York with a team of approximately 50 professionals.

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