One key trend that will shape 2026 is embedded investing, as more companies across diverse spaces consider adding investing and trading features like microinvesting to their offerings.
These are enticing opportunities, but companies considering the move need a detailed and deliberate approach, DriveWealth’s chief digital officer Harry Temkin explained. For the past decade, Temkin, a fintech veteran whose experience includes a stint at eBay, has helped the global B2B fintech platform provide Brokerage-as-a-Service experiences for banks, broker-dealers, asset managers, digital wallets, and consumer brands.
The work begins on DriveWealth’s end. Temkin and his team learn about the company and tailor the initial presentation to the client’s possible goals. The client’s logos and color schemes are included to augment the vision as DriveWealth demonstrates how the APIs work.
“It’s important so each one of those partners has their own DNA,” Temkin said. “We want to give them a visual of what it can be for them. Once they’ve made a decision and realize what DriveWealth brings to the table in terms of our technology stack and our knowledge with regard to regulatory and compliance design, we put together a project plan that explains in detail where to begin.”
That presentation follows the four pillars of brokerage. It begins with user onboarding, account opening and KYC before discussing money movement and settlement options. Portfolio and order management are followed by post-trade services. DriveWealth brings a hands-on approach; it’s integration and relationship teams liaise with the client throughout the development process.
Some client questions revolve around friction reduction. Where should this new option be displayed to attract clients while eliminating onboarding friction? These are fruitful discussions because the services can be built in many ways.
One example of friction reduction is in seamlessly transferring information from the wallet to onboard the client for fractional investing. Because there is so much overlap between what the two services require, Temkin said that data transfer, with the resulting instantaneous KYC processes, is one important area.
What’s undeniable is the attraction of investment roundups, where a user can top up their purchases to the next dollar (or next few dollars), with the extra funnelled into an investment account. Temkin said it’s a popular gateway for new investors.
“The real beauty of that is there is no friction in the process,” Temkin said. “The client buys something for seven dollars and 30 cents you round up 70 cents and its invested into a stock. The difference between $7.30 and $8 isn’t very much in terms of what the user thinks they’re spending.
“In a fully automated process, that 70 cents goes into a stock. Before they know it, they’ve accumulated a good amount of stock and they’ve begun that investing journey.”
The relationship continues post-launch. DriveWealth and the client discuss any modifications. Often, those meetings include adding more products and services.
“We continue to work with our clients beyond the launch,” Temkin said.