Trade Republic Faces Accessibility Issues Amid Market Turmoil

Following a significant downturn in global stock markets, Berlin-based online broker Trade Republic experienced substantial accessibility issues on Monday morning. The turmoil was triggered by trade policy announcements from former President Donald Trump, sparking a worldwide trading frenzy that affected exchanges from Tokyo to Frankfurt.

As traders sought to respond to the rapid market fluctuations, many users of Trade Republic found themselves unable to access essential features of the trading app. Reports indicated that the platform was heavily overloaded, leading to difficulties in loading information. Users noted that they were unable to view their account balances, with some seeing empty portfolios or incomplete data.

According to various online platforms, there was a notable spike in reports of service disruptions related to Trade Republic, with over 7,000 complaints logged shortly after the market opened at 9 a.m. Many users highlighted issues such as incomplete portfolio loading and an inability to execute trades. While other online brokerage platforms also experienced some outages, the problems at Trade Republic were reported to be more severe, likely due to the surge in user activity.

The trading activities at Trade Republic are facilitated through the LS Exchange, operated by the Hamburg Stock Exchange. On Monday morning, this system also encountered disruptions, further complicating trading for users. However, as the morning progressed, it became evident that the majority of the accessibility issues were being resolved. By approximately 10:30 a.m., reports began to surface on social media platforms like X and Reddit, indicating that many users could again access their portfolios and execute trades without issue.

By midday, a spokesperson for Trade Republic confirmed that the earlier problems had largely been addressed. They explained that the delays users experienced in accessing their portfolios were a result of significant market volatility. It was emphasized that the ability to buy and sell securities remained uninterrupted throughout the morning.

Trade Republic has gained popularity among investors due to its low trading fees and user-friendly interface. However, this is not the first instance of technical difficulties affecting the platform. The company has faced similar challenges in the past, highlighting the vulnerabilities that can arise during periods of heightened market activity.