Apex Clearing Earns Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies Award—Here's Why the Fintech Infrastructure Player Deserves It

The fintech powering fintech just got recognized

Apex Clearing Corporation has been named to Fast Company’s prestigious ‘World’s Most Innovative Companies’ list for 2021 in the finance category. For those following the digital wealth management space, this recognition highlights the critical role infrastructure players are taking in democratizing access to financial markets.

What Apex Clearing actually does

At its core, Apex Clearing operates as the behind-the-scenes engine for financial innovation. The company provides digital custody, clearing, and settlement services—essentially the plumbing that allows online brokerages, wealth-tech startups, traditional wealth managers, and even consumer brands to instantly open accounts, execute trades across multiple asset classes, and securely hold customer assets.

Founded in 2012 and registered with the SEC as both a FINRA member and SIPC participant, Apex Clearing has become the trusted infrastructure layer for firms ranging from venture-backed startups to established financial institutions.

The numbers tell the story

The scale of Apex’s operations underscores why Fast Company took notice. In 2020 alone, the platform processed 450 million trades. The momentum accelerated in early 2021—January saw 68 million trades executed through Apex’s systems.

Today, Apex serves over 200 clients globally, representing more than 13 million customer accounts. The standout figure: 3.2 million of those accounts were opened in 2021, with over 1 million specifically for crypto assets. That explosive growth in digital asset adoption reflects the broader shift in how investors are accessing and trading emerging asset classes.

Why this matters for the industry

William Capuzzi, CEO of Apex Clearing, frames the award as validation of the company’s mission: “Apex is the deeply embedded, trusted technology partner powering the next wave of innovation, financial freedom and markets access for all.”

In an era where retail investors demand seamless digital experiences and financial institutions race to capture new customers, infrastructure providers like Apex Clearing are essential. They solve the complex problem of speed, compliance, and scalability—allowing clients to focus on user experience rather than building custody systems from scratch.

What’s next for Apex

The company is on track to become publicly traded. In February 2021, Apex Clearing Holdings LLC entered into a merger agreement with Northern Star Investment Corp. II (NYSE: NSTB), a SPAC. Following the transaction, Apex is expected to list on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “APX”—giving public market investors direct exposure to the infrastructure boom powering digital wealth management.

Fast Company’s recognition of Apex Clearing reflects a broader industry acknowledgment: the future of financial markets isn’t built on flashy consumer apps alone, but on robust, scalable infrastructure that makes innovation possible.