Real-Time Processing
Get event-driven transfer updates when status changes occur — not hours or days later
The 2026 DTCC protocol deadline is coming up. Is your transfer infrastructure ready?
Apex ACATS
A Real-Time Account Transfer Solution
Get account transfer technology that makes a positive first impression on new clients. Apex ACATS delivers real-time processing and event-driven updates designed for faster resolutions, with an onboarding process built to fit your business.
The Building Blocks of Faster, Cleaner Transfers
Leverage DTCC protocol-ready infrastructure that handles the hard parts of transferring assets while providing a more reliable experience for investors.
Improved Visibility
Search all ACATS actions from one screen. Resolve issues with precise error messaging and the ability to self-serve
Simplified Onboarding
Connect via APIs or white-label UI with a single webhook — no MQ licensing or specialized programming required
Optional Plaid Upgrade
Automate account linking with source-of-truth data from the investors
Improved Visibility, Fewer Support Calls
When transfers stall, your team shouldn’t have to wait days to find out why. Apex ACATS gives you the tools to see what’s happening, pinpoint issues, and resolve them yourself.
- Event-driven updates replace batch delays for to-the-moment awareness
- Search all ACATS actions, system events, and status updates, with a UI that provides full visibility to the complete transfer cycle
- Clearer messaging helps you pinpoint exceptions when they occur
- Suite of transfer capabilities including fail reversals, mutual fund cleanups, and reclaims
Plaid Premium Automations
Fewer Rejections. Better First Impressions.
Manual entry errors can cause significant delays in the transfer process. For eligible firms, our Plaid integration automates brokerage account linking and validates account details before submission, helping reduce typos and data match issues.
Automatic Linking
Investors securely connect to contra brokerage accounts without manually entering personal data, reducing rejections caused by data mismatches
Pre-Transfer Validation
Plaid validates account ownership, identifies eligible assets, and confirms transfer viability before submission
Secure Connections
OAuth-based security authenticates directly with the contra brokerage — no need to share credentials with multiple vendors
Clear, Automated Updates
Real-time status updates keep investors informed at every stage in language they can understand, improving confidence and reducing support calls
Built-In Data Transparency
Get visibility into account details sooner, not days later — helping your ops team troubleshoot any issues that arise faster
A Custom-Fit Account Transfer Solution
Whether you’re looking for a rounded back-office solution or trying to stay up-to-date with DTCC protocols, Apex ACATS can meet you where you’re at. All configurations have the option of upgrading with Plaid for automated account linking.
- A Modern Back-Office Solution
Apex ACATS is included on AscendOS™, our cloud-native clearing, custody, and trading infrastructure with a wide range of real-time financial technology solutions. With Ascend, you can pick and choose the enterprise-ready tools you need to scale your business.
- RIAs, Aggregators, and Beyond
Whether you’re an RIA, aggregator, or another type of firm processing transfers, Apex ACATS gives you access to protocol-ready capabilities through our white-label platform or API suite.
Easier Onboarding
Simplified Integration. Serious Flexibility.
We’ve made it easy to integrate Apex ACATS into your existing platform experience.
- Connect via white-label UI or build your own experience with our API suite
- A single webhook replaces multiple endpoints and integrations
- Test transfers in a fully configured simulator environment before going live
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Apex ACATS isn’t a retrofit — it’s built for DTCC protocols from day one. You get protocol-ready infrastructure without patchwork upgrades or last-minute scrambles to meet changing requirements. It’s also backed by the same infrastructure that supports 22.5M+ brokerage accounts and 113M+ cost basis accounts across the Apex platform.* Whether you’re a high-volume fintech or a growing RIA, our transfer infrastructure is built to handle what you throw at it.
*Figures accurate as of December 2025.
The DTCC is decommissioning legacy file formats and requiring firms to migrate to JSON and Message Queue (MQ) messaging protocols. The deadline for this mandatory transition is October 1, 2026.
As part of this change, the transfer cycle has been compressed to 3–4 business days, and the settlement prep stage was eliminated in October 2025. Delivering firms now have only one business day to validate transfer requests — leaving little buffer for manual error correction.
Apex ACATS is built for the 2026 DTCC protocols, so you can meet the deadline without having to build a compliant solution yourself.
Apex handles it. When you use Apex ACATS, you don’t need to manage protocol upgrades or spend time with regulators ensuring compliance. Our infrastructure stays current with DTCC requirements — so your dev team can focus on your product, not on transfer plumbing.
Yes. The Apex ACATS platform is designed to integrate seamlessly with your existing account and systems. You don’t need to rip and replace your current infrastructure — our solution layers on top of what you already have, providing protocol-ready transfer capabilities without requiring a full system overhaul.
Let’s Talk Transfers
Whether you’re preparing for protocol updates or simply looking to reduce rejection rates for a more premium client experience, we’re here to help. Reach out to start a conversation.
