Profile
Trading 212 is a UK-based broker offering zero-commission trading across stocks, ETFs, forex, and CFDs. Established in 2004 and regulated by the FCA and FSC, the platform has built a strong reputation among retail traders due to its user-friendly proprietary app and accessible account structure. This Trading 212 review covers its regulatory safeguards, execution methods, platform features, and overall suitability for retail investors as of 2025.
Regulation and Security
Trading 212 operates under two regulated entities:
- Trading 212 UK Ltd: Regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) – FRN 609146
- Trading 212 Ltd: Regulated by the Financial Supervision Commission (FSC) of Bulgaria – License No. RG-03-0237
Clients in the UK are protected under the FSCS compensation scheme up to £85,000. EU clients are protected by the Bulgarian Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) up to €20,000. Client funds are held in segregated accounts with Tier 1 banks, and negative balance protection is in place across all accounts.
Execution Model
Trading 212 uses a market maker model for CFD execution and an agency model for share dealing. For Invest and ISA accounts, orders are routed directly to execution venues or market makers on an agency basis. For CFD accounts, the platform acts as principal but does not hedge client positions internally.
Execution quality is strong, with most CFD orders executed within milliseconds. The broker complies with MiFID II best execution policies.
Trading Platforms
Trading 212 offers a proprietary platform designed for both mobile and desktop use:
- Clean UI with intuitive charting and integrated news
- Basic technical indicators and drawing tools
- Real-time watchlists, stock screeners, and auto-invest features
- Available on iOS, Android, and web browsers
No MetaTrader, cTrader, or API connectivity is supported. The platform is geared towards passive investors and beginner-level traders rather than professionals or algorithmic users.
Supported Markets
Trading 212 offers access to over 10,000 instruments across multiple asset classes:
- Stocks: UK, US, EU, and international equities
- ETFs: Broad coverage across thematic, regional, and sector funds
- Forex: 180+ currency pairs (via CFDs)
- Indices: Global equity benchmarks including SPX500, NAS100, GER40
- Commodities: Precious metals, energies, softs
- Cryptocurrencies: BTC, ETH, LTC, XRP (via CFD only)
Real equity ownership is available via Invest and ISA accounts, while all other markets are offered via CFDs.
Account Types and Trading Conditions
Trading 212 offers three account types:
- Invest: Zero-commission trading of real stocks and ETFs
- ISA: Tax-free investing for UK residents (shares and ETFs only)
- CFD: Leveraged trading on forex, indices, commodities, and crypto
Key account conditions:
- Minimum deposit: £1 / €1 / $1
- Leverage: Up to 1:30 for retail clients (per ESMA rules)
- Base currencies: GBP, EUR, USD
- Spreads: Variable, starting from 0.8 pips on major FX pairs
No commissions apply for Invest and ISA accounts. CFD accounts incur spread and swap charges. Fractional shares are supported.
Retail and Institutional Features
Trading 212 is strictly a retail-only platform. There are no offerings for institutional clients, fund managers, or high-frequency trading. Features include:
- AutoInvest with portfolio pies
- Dividend reinvestment and scheduled deposits
- Community forum and learning portal
Advanced order types like OCO or algorithmic trading are not supported. No white-label or introducing broker programs are available.
Client Protection and Transparency
Trading 212 maintains strong investor protections, including:
- Segregated funds with Tier 1 banks
- FSCS (UK) or ICF (EU) compensation schemes
- Negative balance protection across all accounts
- Clear disclosure of fees, execution policy, and risk statements
Monthly statements and transaction cost breakdowns are provided in compliance with MiFID II. The platform publishes spread data, but not independent slippage or execution quality reports.
Base Currencies, Order Types, and API Access
Accounts can be denominated in GBP, EUR, or USD. Supported order types include:
- Market, limit, stop
- Stop loss, take profit, trailing stop (CFD accounts)
- Good-till-cancelled (GTC) and day orders
No API or FIX connectivity is available. The platform is closed to third-party integrations.
Pros and Cons
- Pros:
- FCA and FSC regulation with investor compensation
- Commission-free share trading with fractional support
- Simple platform ideal for beginners
- Low minimum deposit (£1)
- Cons:
- No MetaTrader or advanced trading tools
- Limited to retail clients only
- CFD trading via market maker model
- No API, no algorithmic trading support
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Trading 212 regulated?
Yes. Trading 212 is regulated by the UK FCA and the Bulgarian FSC, offering investor compensation and segregated accounts.
Does Trading 212 charge commission?
No. Trading 212 offers commission-free trading for stocks and ETFs. CFD accounts have spreads and swap fees instead.
Can I use MetaTrader on Trading 212?
No. Trading 212 only offers its proprietary platform and does not support MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5.
What is the minimum deposit for Trading 212?
The minimum deposit is just £1, €1, or $1, depending on the base currency of your account.
Is API access available?
No. Trading 212 does not currently offer API or FIX access for algorithmic or institutional trading.
