Commission-free share and ETF app with automated "Pies"; originated as Bulgarian broker Avus Capital, now serving Europe through UK, Bulgarian and Cypriot entities.
- Headquarters
United Kingdom- Founded
- 2004
- Type
- Share & ETF brokers
- Licences on record
- 3 (3 European)
- Platforms
- Own platform
- Products
- Stocks, ETFs, CFDs
- Website
- trading212.com
Strengths
- Commission-free real shares and ETFs with fractional investing
- Automated portfolios ("Pies") and recurring investments
- Interest on uninvested cash in several currencies
- EU services through Bulgarian and Cypriot entities, UK entity FCA-authorised
Watch-outs
- Currency conversion fee on trades in a different currency
- CFD platform is separate from the Invest account
- Limited advanced order types and research
Overview
Trading 212 started in Sofia in 2004 as Avus Capital and is now headquartered in London. It became one of Europe's most popular investing apps with commission-free share dealing.
Which entity serves you
UK clients are served by Trading 212 UK Ltd (FCA), which also offers Stocks & Shares ISAs. EU clients are served by EU entities licensed in Bulgaria (FSC) and Cyprus (CySEC), depending on the product.
Products
The Invest account offers real shares and ETFs with fractional investing and Pies – automated portfolios with recurring deposits. A separate CFD account offers leveraged trading under ESMA rules.
Our view
Excellent for low-cost regular investing. Watch the currency conversion fee if your account currency differs from the shares you buy.
Licences on record
Brands often operate several companies. The one that onboards you depends on where you live, and that company's regulator decides your protection. Confirm the entity on the official register before you deposit.
| Regulator | Jurisdiction | Type | Check it |
|---|---|---|---|
| FCA Financial Conduct Authority | United Kingdom |
UK | Official register |
| FSC Financial Supervision Commission (Bulgaria) |  Bulgaria |
EU/EEA – passportable | Regulator website |
| CySEC Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission |  Cyprus |
EU/EEA – passportable | Official register |
What protection would you get?
If you are a retail client of Trading 212's European entity, these safeguards apply by law. Which one applies to you depends on the entity you sign with.
- Investor compensation: Up to £85,000 per person per firm for investments – Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)
- Leverage for retail clients: capped at 30:1 on major currency pairs, down to 2:1 on crypto. Details
- Negative balance protection: you cannot lose more than the money in your account.
- Margin close-out: positions are closed when equity falls to 50% of required margin.
- Complaints: Financial Ombudsman Service
- Best forex brokers in United Kingdom
- Investor compensation: At least €20,000 per investor (EU minimum under the Investor Compensation Schemes Directive 97/9/EC; schemes may cover 90% of the claim). – Investor Compensation Fund (Bulgaria) (confirm with the scheme)
- Leverage for retail clients: capped at 30:1 on major currency pairs, down to 2:1 on crypto. Details
- Negative balance protection: you cannot lose more than the money in your account.
- Margin close-out: positions are closed when equity falls to 50% of required margin.
- Best forex brokers in Bulgaria
- Investor compensation: 90% of the covered claim, capped at €20,000 per investor – Investor Compensation Fund for CIF clients (ICF)
- Leverage for retail clients: capped at 30:1 on major currency pairs, down to 2:1 on crypto. Details
- Negative balance protection: you cannot lose more than the money in your account.
- Margin close-out: positions are closed when equity falls to 50% of required margin.
- Complaints: Financial Ombudsman of the Republic of Cyprus
- Best forex brokers in Cyprus
Verify Trading 212 yourself
- Find the exact company name in the footer of the website and in the client agreement you are asked to sign.
- Search that name on the register of the regulator listed for your country (links above). Make sure the register shows the same website domain.
- Check warning lists for look-alike names: IOSCO I-SCAN covers alerts from regulators worldwide.
- Never download remote-access software or move money because someone "from the broker" phoned you. How clone-firm scams work.
Protection Score breakdown
| Factor | Points |
|---|---|
| Holds at least one European licence (EU/EEA, UK or Swiss) | +40 |
| ESMA/FCA retail protections available (leverage caps, negative balance protection, compensation scheme) | +15 |
| Supervised in 3 strong jurisdictions | +8 |
| Operating for 22 years | +7 |
| Total | 70/100 |
The score measures structural protection from licences and corporate facts, not costs, service or platform quality. A high score does not mean a firm is right for you. Methodology.
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About this data
Profile type: reviewed profile. Licence data is from our research and has not yet been re-checked against every register; confirm it on the official register before relying on it. Last updated 30 September 2026.
United States