At the start of the year, we asked wealth managers to predict the future. Nine months later, it looks like they did a pretty good job.

Proponents expect crypto to gain legitimacy and come to clients at lower costs if the SEC signs off as it's expected to do.

Competitors to the giant custodians say they're developing their own programs even as members of existing networks push back against some of the criticism.

Merrill president and co-head Lindsay Hans said the firm is well-positioned for the "largest asset-gathering opportunity that FAs have seen in decades."

The organization, launched about five years ago by Troy Prince, is seeking more industry collaboration on its mission of "changing the face of Wall Street."

Using FP's criteria, data partner COMPLY scraped together a listing of the biggest firms that provide financial planning services but don't accept commissions.

Competitors and critics in an industry fragmented between large and small firms and obsessed with organic growth question the increasing exclusivity and fees.