Multifonds, a global fund management software provider, and Ultumus, a SIX Group company specializing in ETF infrastructure technology, have announced a strategic alliance designed to enable management companies to expand rapidly in the growing ETF market. According to the companies, this collaboration provides Multifonds clients with direct access to Ultumus’ specialized ETF technology platform and its extensive global network of authorized participants and market makers, enabled through a preconfigured standard connector now available on the Multifonds platform.
With ETF assets growing at an unprecedented pace, the companies have identified that asset managers are increasingly seeking efficient ways to launch share classes in ETF format or convert existing mutual fund strategies into ETF vehicles. Therefore, they believe this alliance responds to that demand by combining Multifonds’ market-leading platform for fund administration and investor services, which currently supports more than $10 trillion in assets, across more than 40,000 funds and 35 jurisdictions, with Ultumus’ proven ETF operating infrastructure. “This alliance offers the market an integrated solution that removes the operational burden associated with launching and administering ETFs,” highlighted Oded Weiss, Chief Executive Officer of Multifonds.
Its comprehensive ETF infrastructure solution
According to the companies, the alliance also brings together complementary capabilities. On the one hand, Multifonds contributes its established fund accounting and investor servicing platform, used by 9 of the world’s 15 largest fund administrators; on the other, Ultumus provides specialized ETF infrastructure, including the COSMOS platform for creation and redemption processes, advanced PCF (Portfolio Composition File) calculation capabilities, and a well-established global network of relationships and distribution with authorized participants and market makers.
Together, the combined offering and connectivity enable end-to-end ETF operations, from fund accounting to trading and settlement, all on an integrated technology platform. The companies believe a key differentiating factor of the alliance is Ultumus’ strong network of relationships with European, Asian, and Canadian authorized participants and market makers, essential counterparties in the ETF ecosystem that enable efficient trading and liquidity provision. This network, they note, combined with Multifonds’ experience across more than 35 jurisdictions, provides asset managers and fund administrators with immediate access to the infrastructure needed to successfully launch and operate ETFs in global markets.
“The ETF market is evolving rapidly, and asset managers need partners who understand both the traditional fund administration business and the specific operational requirements of ETFs. Multifonds’ client relationships, combined with our specialized ETF technology and our market maker network, create a robust solution for firms looking to capture the ETF growth opportunity without having to build entirely new infrastructure,” said Bernie Thurston, Chief Executive Officer of Ultumus.
Driving industry transformation
Both firms maintain that this collaboration comes at a crucial moment for the asset management industry, particularly with the transition to the T+1 settlement cycle in Europe. According to them, recent regulatory changes allowing ETF share classes within mutual funds, together with investors’ strong preference for ETF structures due to their tax efficiency and lower costs, have accelerated demand for solutions that connect the mutual fund and ETF worlds.
“We are seeing a fundamental shift in how asset managers and fund administrators think about product structure. It is not just about launching new products, but about equipping existing fund ranges with the tools to evolve alongside market demand. Our collaboration with Ultumus delivers that capability at scale,” concludes Weiss.
