Scalable Capital vs XTB Comparison

Scalable Capital has made a name for itself in the DACH region primarily as a robo-advisor and ETF broker and has also offered cryptocurrency trading for some time now. With a BaFin license as an investment firm and a headquarters in Germany, the provider is considered well positioned from a regulatory standpoint. The crypto offering currently includes 13 coins traded via crypto ETPs — an approach that is appreciated by security-conscious investors.

The savings plans starting from €1 enable an especially low-threshold entry, and staking via ETPs is seen as a meaningful addition. The device-bound two-factor authentication is considered a solid security solution. For investors who primarily invest in stocks and ETFs and want to hold crypto as an allocation in the same portfolio, Scalable Capital is seen as a practical solution.

However, the crypto selection with 13 coins is considered room for improvement compared with specialized providers. Wallet transfers to personal wallets are also not possible, which is occasionally criticized by users. Scalable Capital is therefore primarily suitable for mainstream investors who are looking for a regulated German broker with a broad securities offering and want to use crypto as a supplementary component.

XTB stands out as an established, publicly listed multi-asset broker with more than 20 years of market experience and over 2.5 million clients. Its main strengths are a clear, easy-to-use interface and an unusually broad offering of more than 12,300 instruments - including 39 crypto Contracts for Differences alongside real stocks, ETFs, forex and commodities. The 0% commission on stocks and ETFs up to €100,000 in monthly volume, the XTB card and payment account, locally regulated European branches with support in the local language, and the depth of educational material all add to its appeal.

The key thing to understand is how XTB offers crypto: as Contract for Differences rather than as actual coins. That's a deliberate product design, not a defect - Contracts for Differences let you go long or short with leverage and built-in risk controls. But it does mean you never own the underlying crypto and can't move it to a personal wallet. If your goal is self-custody or long-term holding of real coins, a dedicated crypto platform fits better; if you want regulated, flexible price exposure within a single multi-asset account, XTB's approach is a sensible match. Some users also note room for improvement in support responsiveness and app stability.

Overall, XTB is best suited to investors who want a regulated, broadly positioned broker with locally supervised European branches, strong stock and ETF conditions, and integrated crypto Contracts for Differences trading - and who value a simple, clear and intuitive interface over direct crypto ownership.

**Contracts for Differences are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 74% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading Contract for Differences with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how Contracts for Differences work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.