Next Generation Trust Company, a full-service administrator and custodian for self-directed IRAs, is actively working with independent fee-based financial advisors to introduce their clients to alternative assets such as real estate, precious metals, and private placements. The move comes as traditional brokerages begin to expand access to cryptocurrency futures, signaling a broader shift toward alternative investments. However, for self-directed investors, these assets have long been accessible through self-directed IRAs, and Next Generation is positioning itself as a bridge for advisors who want to offer them without taking on custodial responsibilities.
In an article published on the company's website, CEO Jaime Raskulinecz explained that many financial advisors steer clients away from alternative investments because those assets fall outside their usual advisory expertise. "By working with Next Generation, independent fee-based advisors retain their assets under management, customary fee structure, and valued client relationships without the burden of handling asset custody, administration, and transaction execution," Raskulinecz said. "And because we do not offer investment advice, we never compete with advisors."
The arrangement matters because it allows advisors to diversify their practice and expand their own knowledge of alternative assets while maintaining their existing fee structures. For clients, it means greater access to investments that can diversify portfolios beyond stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. Next Generation's role as a neutral, administrative third-party custodian ensures that advisors remain the primary point of contact for investment decisions, while the company handles the operational complexities of self-directed IRA accounts.
Advisors interested in learning more about the company's advisory structure can find detailed information in a guide available here. The company also invites independent fee-based advisors to sign up for emails that provide details about working with Next Generation and education about alternative assets at www.NextGenerationTrust.com.
The announcement underscores a growing trend in the financial services industry: as alternative assets become more mainstream, advisors are seeking ways to offer them without disrupting their business models. By partnering with a specialized custodian, advisors can meet client demand for diversification while avoiding the compliance and operational hurdles that come with holding unconventional assets. Next Generation's model, which separates advice from custody, may serve as a template for how independent advisors navigate the expanding universe of alternative investments.
