Full Breakdown
Dan Ives Departs Wedbush to Launch AI-Focused Merchant Bank
7/2/2026, 8:19:11 AM
Departure from Wedbush and New Venture
After eight years as a senior technology analyst at Wedbush Securities, Dan Ives announced his exit to create a merchant bank that merges proprietary research, advisory, capital-raising, and direct investment functions. Ives, well known for his technology coverage and media presence, indicated that the new firm will be formally introduced in the coming weeks.
Professional Background and Recent Activities
Dan Ives brings more than 25 years of experience covering technology stocks, including eight years at Wedbush where he also served on Zeta Global’s advisory board and briefly chaired Eightco Holdings. At Eightco, he led a crypto treasury strategy centered on Worldcoin. In 2025, he launched a personal clothing line noted for its distinctive jackets.
Timeline of Recent Milestones
Services and Business Model of the Planned Bank
The forthcoming entity will provide proprietary research, strategic advisory services, capital-raising assistance, and direct investments across technology, energy, and financial sectors. Ives intends to retain a research role covering technology stocks while recruiting talent from across Wall Street to staff the new operation.
Strategic Rationale and Expected Industry Impact
Ives frames the venture as a response to AI-driven opportunities and broader structural shifts reshaping the economy. He suggests that integrating long-term capital with research-focused advisory could alter traditional perceptions of investment banks on Wall Street, positioning the firm at the center of the AI-enabled transformation of multiple industries.
Official Statements & Responses
In a recent interview, Ives described his eight-year tenure at Wedbush as “phenomenal” and characterized the new venture as a “modern merchant bank” built with “great partners” and “long-term capital.” He noted that his career trajectory has prepared him for this initiative and emphasized the firm’s focus on emerging AI opportunities.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It's been a phenomenal eight years at Wedbush,” — Dan Ives, Technology Analyst, Wedbush Securities
- “But in looking at the next opportunity, it's to create a modern merchant bank with great partners, long-term capital and something I think will change the way Wall Street looks at investment banks.” — Dan Ives, Technology Analyst, Wedbush Securities
- “My career has almost built up to something like this,” — Dan Ives, Technology Analyst, Wedbush Securities
- “In this AI revolution, it's seeing the opportunities that are around the corner, and that's what I think this firm is going to be able to do.” — Dan Ives, Technology Analyst, Wedbush Securities
What’s Next
The new merchant bank will be formally announced in the coming weeks, at which point its capital structure, partner roster, and initial investment focus will be disclosed.
