Tech Analyst Dan Ives Leaves Wedbush to Launch New Merchant Bank

Dan Ives, one of Wall Street's most recognizable technology analysts, is leaving his longtime role at Wedbush Securities to launch a merchant bank aimed at combining research, advisory, capital raising and investing under one roof.

Ives, who has spent the past eight years at Wedbush and more than 25 years covering technology stocks, said the new firm will seek to build what he described as a "modern merchant bank" focused on helping companies and investors capitalize on opportunities created by artificial intelligence and other structural shifts across the economy.

"It's been a phenomenal eight years at Wedbush," Ives said in an interview. "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."

The firm, which Ives said will be formally announced in the coming weeks, plans to provide proprietary research, strategic advisory services, capital raising and investments across sectors including technology, energy and financials. Ives said he also intends to continue covering technology stocks in a research capacity while helping build the broader business.

The move marks an unusual career pivot for one of the sell side's highest-profile analysts, whose bullish calls on AI beneficiaries and energetic television appearances have made him a familiar face to investors. Known for his colorful jackets and outspoken style, Ives even launched his own clothing line last year.

At Wedbush, Ives also held roles rarely seen among sell-side analysts, serving on the advisory board of Zeta Global and briefly as chairman of Eightco Holdings. At Eightco, he led a crypto treasury strategy centered on Worldcoin, the digital token associated with Sam Altman's identity venture, World.

Ives said the firm aims to recruit talent from across Wall Street and position itself at the center of the AI-driven transformation reshaping industries.

"My career has almost built up to something like this," Ives said. "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."