January 23, 2026 | 35 MIN

RIAs Are Becoming Institutions: How Centralized Allocation Is Reshaping the RIA Market

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About The Episode

In Episode 25 of the Dakota Research Podcast, we examine how the RIA market is entering a new phase of institutionalization—and why this shift is fundamentally changing capital allocation, distribution, and platform economics across wealth management.

We break down how RIAs are evolving from advisor-led practices into coordinated allocation platforms, with investment authority increasingly concentrated in CIO offices, investment committees, and model-driven portfolios. The discussion explores why record M&A activity and asset growth are symptoms of a deeper structural change: control over allocation is moving away from individual advisors and toward centralized governance.

The episode also explores the dual dynamics shaping today’s RIA landscape. While new firm formation remains strong, asset concentration continues to accelerate among large platforms. We discuss how fragmentation and consolidation are occurring simultaneously, why value is accruing to firms that can operate at scale, and how private equity sponsors are increasingly focused on owning distribution and decision-making infrastructure—not just AUM.

Finally, we dive into the implications of alternatives becoming core portfolio components. As private credit, private equity, and real assets move from opportunistic allocations into standardized models, RIAs are being pushed toward more formalized governance, repeatable investment processes, and institutional operating frameworks. For asset managers and service providers, the conversation highlights why access to RIA capital is becoming more centralized, selective, and dependent on alignment with platform-level models and governance standards.

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RIAs Are Becoming Institutions: How Centralized Allocation Is Reshaping the RIA Market

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