2025 Germany Listed Derivatives Report

Retail Trading Roars Back as Dormancy Hits Three-Year Low

• Participation Rebound – Retail trading in listed derivatives rises to 205,000, driven by low dormancy and surging interest from reactivated and new traders.
• Wealthier Entrants – New traders are richer, more likely to hold ETFs, and increasingly drawn by the ability to invest with small amounts.
• Education Gap – Half of all traders are novices or beginners, turning to stock exchanges, trading fairs and AI tools to build confidence.

5 April 2025, Frankfurt – Investment Trends has today released the seventh edition of its 2025 Germany Listed Derivatives Report, revealing a strong rebound in retail participation and notable shifts in who is entering the market and how they are learning to trade.

The latest report shows retail activity has bounced back, with 205,000 individuals having placed at least one listed derivatives trade in the past year, up from 195,000 in 2024. The turnaround is being driven by a three-year low in dormancy and increased flows from both reactivated and first-time traders.

“We’re seeing fresh energy in Germany’s listed derivatives market,” said Lorenzo Vignati, Associate Research Director at Investment Trends. “Lower dormancy levels, coupled with a wave of newly reactivated traders, are signs that retail interest in listed derivatives is not only alive but thriving.”

The study also finds that new German traders look very different from past cohorts. They are wealthier, with higher average household incomes and portfolio values. They’re significantly more likely to hold ETFs in their portfolios and are often attracted by the ability to invest with as little as €1,000 or less.

“Today’s new entrants into Germany’s listed derivatives market are more affluent, more ETF-savvy, and increasingly comfortable with starting small,” Vignati observed. “At the same time, the average trader is growing older and more financially sophisticated — the entire market is maturing.”

The report also indicates that a significant knowledge gap still exists, with 50% of listed derivatives traders describing themselves as novices or advanced beginners. To bridge this gap, many rely on stock exchange content, online search, and trading fairs, while AI tools are gaining popularity for market analysis and learning.

“There’s no shortage of information, but German listed derivative traders are becoming more discerning in how they learn,” added Vignati. “It’s encouraging to see a willingness to seek credible, structured education — whether that’s through exchanges, digital channels or emerging technologies.”

© 2024 Investment Trends. All Rights Reserved. Website by Wolf IQ.