Great Hill Partners has successfully raised a new $7 billion investment fund, surpassing its initial $5 billion target, to continue its middle-market buyout strategy in various sectors, including financial services and software. Despite this success, the payments sector has seen a decline in investment activity, with deal values dropping to their lowest in over a decade, according to recent reports.

President Trump signed an executive order allowing alternative assets like cryptocurrencies and private equity to be included in 401(k) plans, directing the Secretary of Labor to review existing fiduciary guidelines. This move, aimed at expanding investment options for retirement plans, presents both opportunities and risks for investors, with the alternative asset industry celebrating this significant shift. Bitcoin saw a price increase following the announcement.