[London, 4 April 2025]

OpenSTAR, an AI-driven fund platform under Merrill Lynch International, has officially announced the full-scale launch of its private fund market strategy in the United Kingdom. The company plans to establish a locally registered subsidiary by the end of 2025 — a pivotal move in its broader global expansion strategy.

Originally founded as an innovative fintech firm focused on AI trading systems, OpenSTAR was formally integrated into Merrill Lynch International in 2024 and has since become a key platform for AI-powered fund trading within the group. Its entry into the UK market marks a significant step towards combining cutting-edge AI investment engines with private fund management expertise, aiming to offer UK investors asset allocation solutions with greater transparency, stability, and risk control.

“The UK is one of the most mature, well-regulated, and investor-savvy private fund markets in Europe,”

said OpenSTAR’s Global Market Director in a recent interview.

“We’ve chosen the UK as our first point of entry into the European market not only for strategic reasons, but also as a testament to our confidence in its long-term potential.”

According to the roadmap, OpenSTAR will establish its local operations team in London by Q2 2025, focusing on the needs of investors in UK and US equity secondary markets. The company also plans to introduce innovative solutions such as AI-assisted active management strategies and structured fund products with tiered tranches (senior-junior structures). Registration of its FCA-regulated subsidiary is expected to be completed by year-end.

OpenSTAR also confirmed that its proprietary AI trading engine will remain an independent module, continuing to provide strategic support for global asset managers and independent financial advisers. The company further revealed that it has already received partnership interest from fund managers across multiple European countries.

As a new-generation private fund platform blending technology with asset management, OpenSTAR’s expansion into the UK represents not only the convergence of advanced tech and traditional capital, but also a meaningful step towards delivering inclusive finance in the global fund industry.

About OpenSTAR

OpenSTAR is an AI-powered fund management platform developed jointly by a leading AI technology firm and Merrill Lynch International. By leveraging algorithmic models, data backtesting, and real-time trading strategies, OpenSTAR offers structured, intelligent, and risk-oriented asset allocation services to high-net-worth investors around the globe. Headquartered in the United States, its service network currently spans North America, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America — with rapid expansion underway across Europe.