“Technology is absolutely critical”
Scope Prime has been expanding its institutional business in 2025. Hedge Funds Club’s Stefan Nilsson decided to have a chat with Scope Prime CEO Daniel Lawrance about his business and how he sees the prime brokerage industry evolving.
Scope Prime is part of the Rostro Group. How does being part of this bigger organisation benefit Scope’s prime brokerage clients?
Being part of the Rostro Group allows Scope Prime to offer clients access to a significantly broader range of assets, technology, and expertise. Within the group, we have specialist product teams and shared resources that enable us to deliver a truly integrated, institutional-grade service. This structure allows us to enhance our offering beyond traditional prime brokerage and provide a complete, end-to-end solution for our clients.
In a crowded prime services market, what sets Scope apart?
Several factors differentiate us. We offer an extensive multi-asset product range, a broad portfolio of global licences that gives clients regulatory flexibility, and exceptionally fast onboarding and time-to-market. We also pride ourselves on delivering bespoke client setups rather than a one-size-fits-all model. Finally, our 24/5 account management and support ensure clients receive continuous, high-touch service.
How important a role does technology play in the services you offer?
Technology is absolutely critical. It is no longer a differentiator; it is an expectation. Markets, products, and client demands evolve at incredible speed, and without continual investment in technology, a firm quickly becomes obsolete. Institutional clients expect robust, scalable, and flexible solutions, and if those expectations aren’t met, they will move very quickly to a provider that can deliver. In simple words, without being ahead of the game in technology, you are considered a dinosaur, and we all know that dinosaurs are extinct.
What types of hedge fund managers are you focused on servicing?
We primarily focus on family offices, asset managers, and hedge funds managing under $500 million in AUM. This segment is often underserved by the traditional large primes. Yet these managers still require sophisticated pricing, technology, and support to compete effectively and generate alpha.
There seems to be a growing demand for customised prime services.
Absolutely. Customisation is one of the fastest-growing areas of demand. Many managers are frustrated by the rigid structures and limited flexibility of larger prime brokers, often due to legacy systems. Clients want tailored solutions, and that is exactly where Scope Prime excels.
Are you prioritising any specific geographical areas as you continue to build Scope?
Yes, we are seeing particularly strong growth opportunities in the GCC and APAC regions. These markets align well with our product range, regulatory coverage, and in-house expertise, and demand for our services continues to increase significantly there.
How do you see the global prime brokerage market evolving in the coming years?
I believe the market will continue to consolidate, with fewer players that place a genuine premium on service, technology, and client customisation. Hedge funds operate in an increasingly complex, multi-asset environment, and prime brokers that can support performance through flexibility, innovation, and high-quality service will ultimately be the ones that thrive.
