Trading 212 Review 2026
Regulated broker with real licence numbers.
Trading 212 is a regulated CFD broker founded in 2006. It holds a FCA licence under number 609146.
The basics
Trading 212 was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in London, UK. It is privately owned. The broker offers CFDs on 3,000 instruments across forex, indices, commodities, and crypto. Real stock ownership is available in addition to CFDs.
There is no MetaTrader. The broker operates a proprietary platform only. Copy trading lets you replicate the positions of other traders automatically.
| Founded | 2006 |
| Headquarters | London, UK |
| Instruments | 3,000+ |
| Platforms | Trading 212 App |
| MetaTrader | No |
| Copy trading | Yes |
| Real stocks | Yes |
Is Trading 212 safe?
FCA-regulated brokers must keep client funds in accounts segregated from company funds, provide negative balance protection, and contribute to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which covers up to £85,000 per client if the broker becomes insolvent.
| Regulator | Licence | Entity |
|---|---|---|
| FCA | 609146 ✓ | Trading 212 UK Ltd |
| FSC | N/A ✓ | Trading 212 Ltd |
| CySEC | 398/21 ✓ | Trading 212 Markets Ltd |
You can verify the FCA licence at register.fca.org.uk. The registration shows the entity name, authorisation status, and full permissions list. It takes under a minute.
Trading 212 spreads
These are the typical spreads on Trading 212's standard account. Spreads vary by market conditions and account type. ECN or raw-spread accounts offer lower spreads in exchange for a per-trade commission.
| EUR/USD | 0.5 pips pips |
| GBP/USD | 0.8 pips pips |
| USD/JPY | 0.6 pips pips |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 20c/oz |
| S&P 500 | 0.5pt |
Trading 212's EUR/USD spread of 0.5 pips pips is among the tightest available, competitive with ECN brokers.
Trading 212 withdrawal fee and processing time
Fee: None. Trading 212 does not charge deposit or withdrawal fees. Your payment provider may apply their own transfer fees.
Processing time: 1 to 3 business days. E-wallet and card withdrawals are typically faster than bank wire transfers.
Withdrawal requests must pass identity verification before processing. If your account is not yet fully verified (proof of identity and address submitted), expect additional delays. Verified accounts follow the standard processing times above.
Trading 212 minimum deposit by entity
The minimum deposit depends on which Trading 212 entity serves your country. Offshore entities often allow lower minimums but with less regulatory protection.
| Entity | Regulator | Min deposit | Max leverage (forex) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading 212 UK Ltd | FCA 609146 | $1 | 1:30 |
| Trading 212 Ltd | FSC N/A | $1 | 1:30 |
| Trading 212 Markets Ltd | CySEC 398/21 | $1 | 1:30 |
Trading 212 vs eToro
| Trading 212 | eToro | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA 609146 | FCA 583263 |
| Min deposit | $1 | $50 |
| EUR/USD spread | 0.5 pips pips | 1.0 pips |
| MetaTrader | No | No |
| Instruments | 3,000+ | 3,000+ |
| Copy trading | Yes | Yes |
| Withdrawal fee | None | $5 per withdrawal |
Both brokers are regulated and legitimate. Trading 212 suits traders who value copy trading and social features. eToro is better for traders who prioritise its specific regulated entity coverage.
Regulation — the numbers that matter
| FCA | 609146 — Trading 212 UK Ltd |
| FSC | N/A — Trading 212 Ltd |
| CySEC | 398/21 — Trading 212 Markets Ltd |
Leverage for retail clients in the EU and UK is capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs under ESMA rules. The offshore entity offers up to 1:30, but with lighter regulatory protection.
Pros and Cons
What works
- FCA regulated — Trading 212 UK Ltd
- Very low minimum deposit ($1)
- Copy trading available
- Real stock ownership available
- No inactivity fee
- Tight EUR/USD spread from 0.5 pips
What does not work
- No MetaTrader — proprietary platform only
- High leverage only via offshore entity
The verdict
Trading 212 is a legitimate, regulated broker. The FCA licence number 609146 is verifiable on the public register. It is best suited for social and copy traders. Rating: 4.0 out of 5.
Alternatives to Trading 212
If Trading 212 does not fit your needs, these regulated alternatives are worth comparing:
Frequently asked questions
Is Trading 212 safe?
FCA-regulated brokers must keep client funds in accounts segregated from company funds, provide negative balance protection, and contribute to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which covers up to £85,000 per client if the broker becomes insolvent. Trading 212 holds FCA licence 609146, which is publicly verifiable on the official register.
What is the Trading 212 minimum deposit?
The minimum deposit is $1. This applies to the main regulated entity. Some offshore entities may differ. See the entity table above for full breakdown.
What is the Trading 212 EUR/USD spread?
The EUR/USD spread on Trading 212 standard accounts is typically 0.5 pips pips. Spreads vary with market conditions. ECN or raw accounts offer lower spreads with a per-trade commission instead.
How long does Trading 212 take to process withdrawals?
1 to 3 business days. E-wallet and card withdrawals are typically faster than bank wire transfers.
Does Trading 212 charge withdrawal fees?
None. Trading 212 does not charge deposit or withdrawal fees. Your payment provider may apply their own transfer fees.
Does Trading 212 have MetaTrader?
No. Trading 212 does not offer MetaTrader. It operates a proprietary platform only. Traders who require MT4 or MT5 for automated strategies should consider an alternative.