Henry Fernandez, CEO of MSCI, a leading provider of stock market indices, is aiming to revolutionize the private finance sector, valued at over $12 trillion. By acquiring data-gathering firms since 2021, MSCI intends to introduce benchmark indices for private assets like real estate, infrastructure, and private debt, thus enhancing transparency and liquidity in these markets. Fernandez’s vision is influenced by his extensive experience in capital markets and a strong belief in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing. This initiative could potentially lead to the creation of a secondary market for private assets, similar to the transformation seen in the mortgage loans market in the 1980s. The endeavor faces challenges due to the lack of frequent trading and liquidity in private assets but could be facilitated by advances in technology, including tokenization.

https://www.economist.com/business/2024/01/25/can-msci-drag-private-markets-out-of-the-shadows