Who Owns Trading 212?
Trading 212 is owned by Trading 212 UK Ltd and Trading 212 Ltd, privately held companies founded by investors Ivan Ashminov and Boris Neshich. The platform operates as an independent fintech company headquartered in London, United Kingdom, with additional operations in Cyprus.
Parent Company
Trading 212
Founded
2016
Status
Private
Headquarters
London, United Kingdom
Who Owns Trading 212?
- Parent Company: Trading 212
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Trading 212 | Trading 212 | Wholly owned |
History of Trading 212
- Founded: 2016
- Founders: Ivan Ashminov, Boris Neshich
Trading 212 was founded in 2016 by Ivan Ashminov and Boris Neshich with the mission to make investing accessible to everyone. The platform launched as one of the early adopters of commission-free trading in Europe, challenging traditional brokerages that charged high fees for stock and ETF trading.
The company gained significant traction during the 2020-2021 retail trading boom, attracting millions of users with its zero-commission model and user-friendly mobile app. Trading 212 expanded its offerings beyond stocks and ETFs to include cryptocurrencies, commodities, and forex trading.
Throughout 2021-2023, the platform continued to grow its user base and expand into new European markets. The company invested heavily in technology infrastructure, regulatory compliance, and customer support to scale its operations while maintaining its commission-free business model.
About Trading 212
Who owns Trading 212?
Trading 212 is privately owned by its founders, Ivan Ashminov and Borislav Nedialkov. The company is not publicly traded and has not taken external investment.
Is Trading 212 regulated?
Yes, Trading 212 is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK and by the Financial Supervision Commission (FSC) in Bulgaria.
How does Trading 212 make money if trading is free?
Trading 212 generates revenue through currency conversion fees, CFD spreads, interest on uninvested cash, and premium subscription features. Stock and ETF trading is commission-free, but these other revenue streams support the business.
Is Trading 212 safe?
Trading 212 is regulated by the FCA and FSC. UK customers' assets are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £85,000. However, CFD trading carries significant risk.
How many users does Trading 212 have?
Trading 212 reports approximately 4.5 million users with funded accounts as of 2025.
- Founded: 2004
- Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
Where Is Trading 212 Made / Based?
- Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
- Manufacturing / Operations: United Kingdom, Cyprus, Bulgaria
Trading 212 Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Commission-free trading model lowers barriers to entry for retail investors
- +Independent ownership allows for agile decision-making and innovation
- +Strong regulatory compliance across multiple European jurisdictions
- +User-friendly mobile app and platform design
- +Diverse asset class offerings including stocks, ETFs, crypto, and forex
Considerations
- -Private ownership limits transparency compared to publicly traded competitors
- -Dependence on market volatility and retail trading volumes
- -Regulatory complexity across multiple European jurisdictions
- -Competition from established brokerages and newer fintech platforms
- -Revenue model dependent on payment for order flow and premium services
Frequently Asked Questions About Trading 212
Competitors to Trading 212
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paypal | USA | 1998 | Mass Market | North America | Male | |
| Turbotax | USA | 1993 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders |
Learn More About Competitors
PayPal
Owned by PayPal Holdings
American multinational financial technology company operating online payments system and digital wallet, supporting online money transfers and serves as an electronic alternative to traditional payment methods.
TurboTax
Owned by Intuit Inc.
American tax preparation software developed and marketed by Intuit Inc. for individuals and small businesses.
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Trading 212 competes with 2 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
Jobs at Trading 212
Latest News About Trading 212
Related Articles About Trading 212
View more articles
IPO Watch: Brands Going Public in 2026
From Databricks to Stripe to potential consumer brand IPOs, 2026 is shaping up to be a major year for companies going public. Here is what brand ownership watchers should know.
Monthly M&A Roundup: February 2026 Brand Ownership Changes
From Keurig Dr Pepper's planned split to the Netflix-WBD saga, here is every major brand ownership change and deal in February 2026.
The Most Acquired Categories: Tech vs CPG vs Pharma
Which industries see the most brand acquisitions? We compared technology, consumer goods, and pharmaceuticals to find out where the most M&A activity happens and why.
People Also Searched
Discover popular brands and companies in the Finance & Fintech category and related searches from other users.
Aladdin
Comprehensive investment management technology platform developed by BlackRock, providing portfolio management, risk analytics, and trading solutions for institutional investors and asset managers.
Apple Pay
Apple's mobile payment and digital wallet service enabling contactless payments and financial transactions on Apple devices.
BREIT
Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust, a major real estate investment trust managing over $100 billion in assets across industrial, office, rental housing, and other property sectors.