The online investor population in the EU's biggest economy has grown 3% to 1.79 million, reversing last year's decline.
In the meantime, broker switching has reached a new record as traders seek better value.
Germany's
online investing market has rebounded with a 3% increase in investor numbers,
reaching 1.79 million participants after experiencing a decline in 2024. The
growth comes as investors return to the market with a renewed focus on
long-term financial goals and retirement planning.
Germany's Online Investing
Market Rebounds to 1.8 Million Traders
According
to Investment
Trends' 15th annual Germany Online Investing Report, the market recovery is
being fueled by three key segments: first-time investors entering the market,
previously dormant investors returning to active trading, and continued
engagement from existing investors.
Lorenzo Vignati, Associate Research Director at Investment Trends
“This
year's online investor participation rebound highlights the resilience of the
German investing public,” said Lorenzo Vignati, Associate Research
Director at Investment Trends. “We're seeing a return of previously
inactive investors alongside a strong influx of new market
participants—together reshaping the market landscape.”
It is worth
emphasizing that these data pertain to the entire investment market in Germany.
As for the purely CFD market, these values are much smaller, and according to
Investment Trends statistics from previous years, fewer
than 85,000 investors actively trade such contracts.
The latest
wave of new and reactivated online investors in Germany is displaying
distinctly different motivations compared to previous years. These investors
are primarily drawn to platforms that allow small-amount investing and support
long-term savings goals. ETFs have emerged as the preferred investment vehicle
among this group, while interest in individual shares has waned.
“This shift
towards long-term savings goals and low-entry investing reflects a more
purposeful mindset among new and returning online investors in Germany,” added
Vignati. “They’re not just testing the waters—they’re entering the market with
clear goals.”
For
brokers, the shifting investor mindset presents both challenges and
opportunities. The priority must be supporting these goal-oriented investors
with accessible tools that build confidence and foster long-term engagement
rather than simply focusing on short-term trading capabilities.
Record-Breaking Broker
Switching
Perhaps the
most striking finding in the report is the unprecedented level of broker
switching, which has reached an all-time high of 16%. This significant increase
signals a highly fluid and competitive environment in Germany's online
investing landscape.
“This
elevated churn reflects a more discerning online investor in Germany—one
actively seeking platforms that deliver on both value and innovation,” said
Vignati. “Brokers must go beyond cost competitiveness to build loyalty,
focusing on simplicity, transparency, and solutions that meet rising
expectations.”
Brokers now
face the challenge of differentiating themselves beyond cost, with simplicity,
transparency, and innovative solutions becoming critical factors in retaining
clients in this highly competitive environment.
Market Outlook
While
investor numbers are rebounding, the report notes that capital gain
expectations for domestic equities continue to decline. This suggests that
despite returning to the market, German investors maintain a cautious outlook
on potential returns.
The
research, based on a quantitative online survey of 11,680 German online
investors and traders conducted between January and February 2025, provides a
comprehensive view of the evolving German investment landscape as it enters a
new phase of growth driven by long-term focused participants.
Germany's
online investing market has rebounded with a 3% increase in investor numbers,
reaching 1.79 million participants after experiencing a decline in 2024. The
growth comes as investors return to the market with a renewed focus on
long-term financial goals and retirement planning.
Germany's Online Investing
Market Rebounds to 1.8 Million Traders
According
to Investment
Trends' 15th annual Germany Online Investing Report, the market recovery is
being fueled by three key segments: first-time investors entering the market,
previously dormant investors returning to active trading, and continued
engagement from existing investors.
Lorenzo Vignati, Associate Research Director at Investment Trends
“This
year's online investor participation rebound highlights the resilience of the
German investing public,” said Lorenzo Vignati, Associate Research
Director at Investment Trends. “We're seeing a return of previously
inactive investors alongside a strong influx of new market
participants—together reshaping the market landscape.”
It is worth
emphasizing that these data pertain to the entire investment market in Germany.
As for the purely CFD market, these values are much smaller, and according to
Investment Trends statistics from previous years, fewer
than 85,000 investors actively trade such contracts.
The latest
wave of new and reactivated online investors in Germany is displaying
distinctly different motivations compared to previous years. These investors
are primarily drawn to platforms that allow small-amount investing and support
long-term savings goals. ETFs have emerged as the preferred investment vehicle
among this group, while interest in individual shares has waned.
“This shift
towards long-term savings goals and low-entry investing reflects a more
purposeful mindset among new and returning online investors in Germany,” added
Vignati. “They’re not just testing the waters—they’re entering the market with
clear goals.”
For
brokers, the shifting investor mindset presents both challenges and
opportunities. The priority must be supporting these goal-oriented investors
with accessible tools that build confidence and foster long-term engagement
rather than simply focusing on short-term trading capabilities.
Record-Breaking Broker
Switching
Perhaps the
most striking finding in the report is the unprecedented level of broker
switching, which has reached an all-time high of 16%. This significant increase
signals a highly fluid and competitive environment in Germany's online
investing landscape.
“This
elevated churn reflects a more discerning online investor in Germany—one
actively seeking platforms that deliver on both value and innovation,” said
Vignati. “Brokers must go beyond cost competitiveness to build loyalty,
focusing on simplicity, transparency, and solutions that meet rising
expectations.”
Brokers now
face the challenge of differentiating themselves beyond cost, with simplicity,
transparency, and innovative solutions becoming critical factors in retaining
clients in this highly competitive environment.
Market Outlook
While
investor numbers are rebounding, the report notes that capital gain
expectations for domestic equities continue to decline. This suggests that
despite returning to the market, German investors maintain a cautious outlook
on potential returns.
The
research, based on a quantitative online survey of 11,680 German online
investors and traders conducted between January and February 2025, provides a
comprehensive view of the evolving German investment landscape as it enters a
new phase of growth driven by long-term focused participants.
Damian's adventure with financial markets began at the Cracow University of Economics, where he obtained his MA in finance and accounting. Starting from the retail trader perspective, he collaborated with brokerage houses and financial portals in Poland as an independent editor and content manager. His adventure with Finance Magnates began in 2016, where he is working as a business intelligence analyst.
iFOREX Adds Saudi and South Korean Equity CFDs as IPO Is Delayed
Executive Interview | Charlotte Bullock | Chief Product Officer, Bank of London | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Charlotte Bullock | Chief Product Officer, Bank of London | FMLS:25
In this interview, we sat down with Charlotte Bullock, Head of Product at The Bank of London, previously at SAP and now shaping product at one of the sector’s most ambitious new banking players.
Charlotte reflects on the Summit so far and talks about the culture inside fintech banks today. We look at the pressures that come with scaling, and how firms can hold onto the nimble approach that made them stand out early on.
We also cover the state of payments ahead of her appearance on the payments roundtable: the blockages financial firms face, the areas that still need fixing, and what a realistic solution looks like in 2026.
In this interview, we sat down with Charlotte Bullock, Head of Product at The Bank of London, previously at SAP and now shaping product at one of the sector’s most ambitious new banking players.
Charlotte reflects on the Summit so far and talks about the culture inside fintech banks today. We look at the pressures that come with scaling, and how firms can hold onto the nimble approach that made them stand out early on.
We also cover the state of payments ahead of her appearance on the payments roundtable: the blockages financial firms face, the areas that still need fixing, and what a realistic solution looks like in 2026.
In this conversation, we sit down with Drew Niv, CSO at ATFX Connect and one of the most influential figures in modern FX.
We speak about market structure, the institutional view on liquidity, and the sharp rise of prop trading, a sector Drew has been commenting on in recent months. Drew explains why he once dismissed prop trading, why his view changed, and what he now thinks the model means for brokers, clients and risk managers.
We explore subscription-fee dependency, the high reneging rate, and the long-term challenge: how brokers can build a more stable and honest version of the model. Drew also talks about the traffic advantage standalone prop firms have built and why brokers may still win in the long run if they take the right approach.
In this conversation, we sit down with Drew Niv, CSO at ATFX Connect and one of the most influential figures in modern FX.
We speak about market structure, the institutional view on liquidity, and the sharp rise of prop trading, a sector Drew has been commenting on in recent months. Drew explains why he once dismissed prop trading, why his view changed, and what he now thinks the model means for brokers, clients and risk managers.
We explore subscription-fee dependency, the high reneging rate, and the long-term challenge: how brokers can build a more stable and honest version of the model. Drew also talks about the traffic advantage standalone prop firms have built and why brokers may still win in the long run if they take the right approach.
Executive Interview | Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller| CEO & Founder Muinmos | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller| CEO & Founder Muinmos | FMLS:25
In this interview, Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller, founder of Muinmos, breaks down the state of AI in regtech and what responsible adoption really looks like for brokers. We talk about rising fragmentation, the pressures around compliance accuracy, and why most firms are still in the early stages of AI maturity.
Ramanda also shares insights on regulator sandboxes, shifting expectations around accountability, and the current reality of MiCA licensing and passporting in Europe.
A concise look at where compliance, onboarding, and AI-driven processes are heading next.
In this interview, Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller, founder of Muinmos, breaks down the state of AI in regtech and what responsible adoption really looks like for brokers. We talk about rising fragmentation, the pressures around compliance accuracy, and why most firms are still in the early stages of AI maturity.
Ramanda also shares insights on regulator sandboxes, shifting expectations around accountability, and the current reality of MiCA licensing and passporting in Europe.
A concise look at where compliance, onboarding, and AI-driven processes are heading next.
In this conversation, we speak with Aydin Bonabi, CEO and co-founder of Surveill, a firm focused on fraud detection and AI-driven compliance tools for financial institutions.
We start with Aydin’s view of the Summit and the challenges brokers face as fraud tactics grow more complex. He explains how firms can stay ahead through real-time signals, data patterns, and early-stage detection.
We also talk about AI training and why compliance teams often struggle to keep models accurate, fair, and aligned with regulatory expectations. Aydin breaks down what “good” AI training looks like inside a financial environment, including the importance of clean data, domain expertise, and human oversight.
He closes with a clear message: fraud is scaling, and so must the tools that stop it.
In this conversation, we speak with Aydin Bonabi, CEO and co-founder of Surveill, a firm focused on fraud detection and AI-driven compliance tools for financial institutions.
We start with Aydin’s view of the Summit and the challenges brokers face as fraud tactics grow more complex. He explains how firms can stay ahead through real-time signals, data patterns, and early-stage detection.
We also talk about AI training and why compliance teams often struggle to keep models accurate, fair, and aligned with regulatory expectations. Aydin breaks down what “good” AI training looks like inside a financial environment, including the importance of clean data, domain expertise, and human oversight.
He closes with a clear message: fraud is scaling, and so must the tools that stop it.
Exness expands its presence in Africa: Inside our interview with Paul Margarites in Cape Town
Exness expands its presence in Africa: Inside our interview with Paul Margarites in Cape Town
Finance Magnates met with Paul Margarites, Exness regional commercial director for Sub-Saharan Africa, during a visit to the firm’s office opening in Cape Town. In this talk, led by Andrea Badiola Mateos, Co-CEO at Finance Magnates, Paul shares views on the South African trading space, local user behavior, mobile trends, regulation, team growth, and how Exness plans to grow in more markets across the region. @Exness
Read the article at: https://www.financemagnates.com/thought-leadership/exness-expands-its-presence-in-africa-inside-our-interview-with-paul-margarites/
#exness #financemagnates #exnesstrading #CFDtrading #tradeonline #africanews #capetown
Finance Magnates met with Paul Margarites, Exness regional commercial director for Sub-Saharan Africa, during a visit to the firm’s office opening in Cape Town. In this talk, led by Andrea Badiola Mateos, Co-CEO at Finance Magnates, Paul shares views on the South African trading space, local user behavior, mobile trends, regulation, team growth, and how Exness plans to grow in more markets across the region. @Exness
Read the article at: https://www.financemagnates.com/thought-leadership/exness-expands-its-presence-in-africa-inside-our-interview-with-paul-margarites/
#exness #financemagnates #exnesstrading #CFDtrading #tradeonline #africanews #capetown
