Transition To RIA Podcast

Transition To RIA Podcast


Q129 - Can I Use Alternative Investments As An RIA?

July 31, 2025

“You won’t be able to use Alts (alternative investments) if you transition to the RIA model.”


“Ok, maybe that’s no longer the case….but you won’t have access to as many investment options as we have in the large broker/dealer world.”


“Well….maybe that’s no longer true either, but our large scale gets us better availability/pricing than the RIA space.”


“Damn it…..that’s no longer true either. You RIA folks now often have better options, pricing, etc. than we do!”


This progression is how using Alts in the RIA space has generally played out. While advisors at large wirehouse type firms once had the advantage when it comes to Alts, in most cases it is now the opposite.


In this episode (#129) of the Transition To RIA question & answer series, I explain how Alts are used in the RIA model and why it is often to your advantage.


Come take a listen!


P.S. Prefer video? You can find this entire series in video format on Youtube. Search for the TRANSITION TO RIA channel.


Show notes: https://TransitionToRIA.com/can-i-use-alternative-investments-as-an-ria/


About Host: Brad Wales is the founder of Transition To RIA, where he helps financial advisors understand everything there is to know about WHY and HOW to transition their practice to the Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) model. Brad has 20+ years of industry experience, including direct RIA related roles in Compliance, Finance and Business Development. He has an MBA and has held the 4, 7, 24, 63 & 65 licenses. The Transition To RIA website (TransitionToRIA.com) has a large catalog of free videos, articles, whitepapers, as well as other resources to help advisors understand the RIA model and how it would apply to their unique circumstances.