ETF Solutions
Launch your ETF with ACA Foreside as your partner.
Bringing an exchange-traded fund (ETF) to market requires key regulatory partners. As a FINRA-member broker-dealer, we act as your statutory distributor and legal underwriter, helping you meet regulatory obligations and launch with confidence.
Our ACA Foreside team supports over 1,200 ETFs across more than 275 managers. We provide the compliance, operational, and distribution infrastructure that drives growth and supports long-term success.
Ready to strengthen your compliance, operations, and distribution strategy? We’ll help you launch, align vendors, and drive long-term growth. Contact us to get started.
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Solutions needed to start an ETF
Launching an ETF involves more than just a great investment strategy—it requires coordination across a full ecosystem of service providers including legal counsel, administrators, marketing teams, and market makers.
Whether you’re early in planning or refining your strategy, we’ll help you build the right team and streamline your path to launch.
What do you need help with?
Whether you're launching your first ETF or looking to streamline an existing one, we deliver tailored support at every stage—from structuring and setup to distribution and compliance oversight. Solutions we offer include:
As a FINRA-member broker-dealer, we serve as your statutory distributor. We review and approve marketing materials, facilitate and coordinate Authorized Participant (AP) agreements, and support AP order review and approval, as well as compliance oversight under Rule 38a-1.
We guide you through the process of registering your investment adviser, filing required forms, and aligning your business model to regulatory requirements.
Our scalable compliance solutions are designed to evolve with your fund, offering proactive guidance across all operational stages.
Our experienced compliance professionals serve as chief compliance officer and principal financial officer, helping you establish fund governance, maintain disclosure controls, and meet regulatory obligations.
Support for firms with registered representative needs, helping ensure your team meets licensing and compliance requirements.
We can connect you with trusted partners for essential services not offered by ACA Foreside, including:
- Legal counsel and listing exchanges
- Custodians, administrators, and transfer agents
- Liquidity providers and authorized participants
- Marketing, PR, and ETF intermediary support
Why ACA?
Proven experience and scale
We support more than across the U.S. Whether you’re launching your first fund or converting post-launch, our experience means you’re in trusted hands.
Flexible engagement at every stage
Industry insights and connections
Ready to launch and operate an ETF? We can help.
Discover how our ACA Foreside team can guide you from day one to daily operations — and beyond.
The ETF ecosystem: how it all connects
Bringing an ETF to market involves a complex network of service providers, regulatory bodies, and market participants—all working together to support the product from inception to investor execution.
This diagram illustrates the full ETF ecosystem, showing the flow of services, regulatory oversight, and investment activity that surrounds every ETF issuer. ACA plays a central role in this structure as a Medallion Distributor, ensuring compliance, coordination, and connectivity across the value chain.
Want to understand how your ETF fits into this framework? Our team can walk you through the process and help you engage with the right partners.
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FAQs
ETF Solutions
Are there white label / turnkey platforms to help me launch an ETF
Yes. ACA Foreside is a named legal underwriter across the majority of white label / turnkey platforms. With our team’s experience, we help guide you and provide the necessary introductions to those platforms.
What are the potential benefits of launching an ETF?
ETFs offer intra-day liquidity, portfolio diversification, tax efficiency, transparency, and cost-effective operations. These investor-friendly features make ETFs a compelling product structure for asset managers.
Can I work with my existing service providers when launching an ETF?
Yes, you can use your preferred custodians, administrators, or legal teams. We can work alongside them or recommend trusted partners experienced in ETF operations and compliance.
Do I choose where my ETF is listed?
Yes, as the issuer, you can select the exchange for your ETF listing, and your ACA Foreside team will help with introductions.
What is an Authorized Participant (AP) and why do I need one?
Authorized Participants are institutions that n the primary market. They are essential for maintaining liquidity and market price alignment. The ACA Foreside team helps facilitate AP agreements and onboarding.
Why should fund issuers choose ACA Foreside for ETF services?
With more than 275 ETF managers supported and deep regulatory and operational expertise, our ACA Foreside team can help firms looking to launch and manage ETFs efficiently, compliantly, and with confidence.
Still have questions about launching an ETF?
We’re here to help. Contact us to discuss your goals and how we can support your ETF from concept to market.
