About Trade Republic
Trade Republic is a German neobroker and banking platform founded in 2015 in Berlin, Germany. It has grown into one of Europe's largest retail investment platforms, serving over 8 million customers across 17 European countries with more than €100 billion in assets under management. Trade Republic holds a full banking licence from the European Central Bank (ECB), granted in December 2023, making it a fully regulated institution — not just a broker.
The platform offers a wide range of financial products through its simple, mobile-first app: stocks, ETFs, bonds, derivatives, fractional shares, and over 50 cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin and Ethereum. All securities orders cost a flat €1 settlement fee, while savings plans execute for free. Crypto trades carry a 1% spread plus the €1 settlement fee. Trade Republic also offers a Visa debit card with 1% cashback in securities ("Saveback"), a savings interest rate on uninvested cash, and a current account with a German IBAN — making it a true banking alternative for European retail investors.
Crypto assets are held in custody by BitGo Europe under a BaFin-approved arrangement. The platform primarily targets European residents in countries such as Germany, France, the Netherlands, Austria, and 13 others. A valid government ID and proof of EU residence are required to register.
What are alternatives for Trade Republic
👍 Pro's of using Trade Republic
- Full ECB banking licence — uninvested cash is protected as bank deposits, not broker client money
- Extremely low flat fee: €1 per trade across stocks, ETFs, bonds, and crypto
- Broad product selection: 8,000+ stocks, 2,500+ ETFs, bonds, derivatives, and 50+ cryptocurrencies
- Mobile-first app praised for its clean, intuitive UX and beginner-friendliness
- Integrated savings account paying interest on uninvested euro cash
- Visa debit card with 1% Saveback reward reinvested in securities
👎 Con's of using Trade Republic
- Customer support is primarily automated; reaching a human agent can be slow and frustrating
- Crypto trades carry a 1% spread on top of the €1 fee, making it more expensive than dedicated crypto exchanges
- No web or desktop trading interface — app-only experience
- Limited advanced charting and research tools; not suited for active or professional traders
- Crypto cannot be withdrawn to an external private wallet — custody stays with BitGo Europe
- Available in 17 EU countries only — not accessible to US or most non-EU residents
