Trade Republic, the popular German neobroker, has been making waves across Europe with its commission-free trading platform. However, Swiss residents may be disappointed to learn that the service is not yet available in their country.
What is Trade Republic?
Trade Republic is a mobile-first broker that has quickly become a favorite among European investors. Founded in 2015, the company has grown to serve over 4 million customers and manages an impressive €35 billion in assets. The platform offers commission-free trading of stocks, ETFs, derivatives, and cryptocurrencies, making it an attractive option for both novice and experienced investors.
European Expansion
Trade Republic's success has led to rapid expansion across Europe. The company now operates in 17 countries, including:
- Allemagne
- Austria
- France (including overseas territories)
- Espagne
- Italie
- The Netherlands
- Belgium
- Luxembourg
- Finland
- Ireland
- Greece
- Portugal
- Estonia
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Slovenia
- Slovakia
Why isn't Trade Republic available in Switzerland?
Despite its wide European presence, Trade Republic has not yet entered the Swiss market. The company's policy is to offer services only to permanent residents of countries where they have established operations. This approach likely stems from the need to navigate different regulatory environments and ensure compliance with local financial laws.
Future Prospects
While Trade Republic is currently unavailable in Switzerland, there's hope for the future. The company has stated that they are working on expanding their services to customers residing in other countries. Given Switzerland's reputation as a financial hub and its proximity to Trade Republic's existing markets, it's possible that Swiss residents may gain access to the platform in the future.
Banking Security and Regulation
It's worth noting that Trade Republic operates as a fully licensed German bank, supervised by BaFin (Federal Financial Supervisory Authority). This provides customers with the reliability and security expected from a regulated financial institution. Client funds are held in omnibus trust accounts with reputable banks such as Deutsche Bank AG, J.P. Morgan SE, HSBC Continental Europe S.A, and Citibank Europe plc.
For now, Swiss residents will need to explore alternative investment platforms. However, given Trade Republic's trajectory of growth and expansion, it may only be a matter of time before this popular neobroker becomes available in Switzerland.
