Inside the world of alternative investments: Here's what to know

Alternative Investments Landscape - Alternative investments, including private equity, private credit, venture capital, and hedge funds, are becoming mainstream [1] - Total assets under management for alts have more than doubled in the past decade, from $7 trillion to $18 trillion, and are expected to reach $29 trillion by 2029 [2] - Congress has been reducing both the financial and educational thresholds for sophisticated investors over the past decade [10] - An executive order from the White House aims to increase the presence of alts in 401(k)s, potentially leading to more retail investor participation [11] Accessibility for Retail Investors - Alts, once exclusive to institutional investors and the ultra-wealthy, are now becoming more accessible to retail investors [2] - Retail investors can now access private credit with a minimum investment of $10,000 to $20,000 through funds [19][20] - The industry is moving towards semi-liquid public instruments, partnerships, securitization, and funds to provide access to alts [16] Risks and Challenges - High fees, less liquidity, less transparency, and potentially lower returns have been risks associated with alts [4][17] - Liquidity is a significant concern, especially for retail investors who may need their cash more readily [14] - Creating hybrid instruments that offer liquidity may compromise the higher returns typically expected from illiquid alternatives [17]