Berlin has quietly become a powerhouse for fintech startups, often overshadowed by London but steadily carving out its place as a major hub in Europe. In 2024, Germany ranked second in Europe for fintech venture capital investments, with Berlin leading the charge by hosting more fintech companies than Munich, Frankfurt, and Hamburg combined. The city’s startup scene thrives on its diverse talent pool, startup-friendly regulations, and a growing number of investors eager to back financial innovation. Fintech, a blend of finance and technology, uses software, apps, and hardware to simplify tasks like payments, banking, and investing. In this blog, we’ll explore Berlin’s booming fintech landscape and highlight the top startups making waves in 2025.
Why Berlin Is a Fintech Hotspot
Startups are increasingly popular as people seek the freedom to be their own boss, set their own schedules, and bring their ideas to life. Fintech startups, in particular, are thriving because they address real-world financial challenges with technology. Berlin has capitalized on this trend, with fintech making up a significant chunk of its startup ecosystem—around 12% of all new startups in Germany since 2018, a number that continues to grow. The city’s appeal lies in its vibrant tech scene, low cost of living compared to other European capitals, and a regulatory environment that supports innovation. Berlin is home to over 400 fintech companies, employing more than 9,000 people locally, and it attracted €1.5 billion in fintech funding in 2024 alone.
What makes Berlin stand out is its ability to foster collaboration. Traditional banks like Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank are partnering with fintechs to modernize their services, while startups benefit from the city’s diverse talent and government support, such as the FinTech Innovation Hub launched by Germany’s financial regulator, BaFin. From mobile banking to blockchain solutions, Berlin’s fintech startups are redefining how we manage money. Let’s dive into some of the top players you should know about in 2025.
Top Fintech Startups in Berlin
Moonfare
Moonfare is a digital wealth platform that opens up private equity investments to individual investors. Founded in 2016, it connects users with top-tier private equity funds, pooling contributions into its Luxembourg-based feeder funds to lower the entry barriers. This allows everyday investors to access opportunities typically reserved for institutions, all through a seamless digital experience. Moonfare has grown steadily, managing over €2.5 billion in assets by 2025, and continues to expand its offerings with a focus on transparency and high returns. It’s a great example of how Berlin fintechs are democratizing finance.
Trade Republic
Trade Republic, launched in 2015, is a mobile-first, commission-free broker that’s become a go-to for European investors. It lets users trade stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies directly from their phones without hefty fees. Valued at $5.3 billion, Trade Republic serves over 2 million customers across Europe as of 2025, backed by major investors like Sequoia and Accel. The startup’s mission is to make investing simple and affordable, and it’s succeeding by focusing on a user-friendly app and low-cost trades. Trade Republic is a cornerstone of Berlin’s fintech ecosystem, showing how startups can challenge traditional financial players.
Penta (Now Part of Qonto)
Penta started as a digital bank for startups and small businesses, aiming to simplify banking with tools to manage cash flow, invoices, and expenses. Founded in 2017, it gained popularity for its community-driven approach, helping SMEs save time on financial admin. In 2023, Penta was acquired by Qonto, a French fintech, for €200 million, creating one of Europe’s largest business banking platforms. By 2025, Qonto-Penta serves over 500,000 businesses across Germany, France, Italy, and Spain, offering integrated financial services like loans and payment solutions. This merger highlights Berlin’s role in fostering fintechs that scale internationally.
FinCompare (Now Part of NORD/LB)
FinCompare, founded in 2016, built a digital platform to help small and medium-sized businesses compare and secure corporate financing. It partnered with over 250 financial institutions and processed loan applications worth €3.5 billion by 2023. In 2024, FinCompare was acquired by NORD/LB, a German bank, to enhance its SME financing offerings. Now integrated into NORD/LB’s digital strategy, FinCompare continues to streamline access to business loans in 2025, focusing on AI-driven loan matching. Its journey shows how Berlin fintechs can attract established players looking to modernize.
Taxfix
Taxfix makes filing taxes easy, even for those with no prior experience. Launched in 2016, the Berlin-based startup offers a simple app and browser platform to handle tax declarations, calculating refunds in real-time. By 2025, Taxfix has over 5 million app downloads and processes 5,000 tax declarations daily. It expanded into Spain and Italy, raising €220 million in funding, with a valuation nearing €1 billion. Taxfix’s conversational interface and paperless submission process have made it a favorite among freelancers and individuals, proving that fintech can simplify even the most daunting financial tasks.
Friendsurance (Now Part of Alecta)
Friendsurance pioneered a peer-to-peer insurance model, connecting friends to buy non-life insurance plans in bulk. Founded in 2010, it offered products like liability and household insurance, rewarding groups with cashback if no claims were filed. In 2024, Friendsurance was acquired by Alecta, a Swedish pension fund, for €150 million, aiming to expand its innovative insurance model across Europe. By 2025, Friendsurance covers 300,000 users and is testing new products like pet insurance. Its group-based approach highlights Berlin’s knack for creative fintech solutions.
Bitbond
Bitbond has been a leader in blockchain-based financial services since 2013. It focuses on SME financing, tokenization, and digital asset custody, using blockchain to connect borrowers with investors globally. Bitbond Finance GmbH, its subsidiary, issues tokens for asset-backed securities, a growing trend in 2025. The platform has facilitated over €1 billion in loans, earning high customer ratings for its transparency. Bitbond’s use of cryptocurrency-backed loans positions it as a key player in Berlin’s blockchain scene, which is one of the strongest in Germany.
N26
N26 is Berlin’s fintech superstar, often cited as Europe’s most valuable fintech startup, with a valuation of $9 billion in 2025. Founded in 2013 by Valentin Stalf and Maximilian Tayenthal, N26 offers a fully digital banking experience, including international money transfers, investments, and overdrafts. It now serves 8 million customers across 25 markets, with 2,000 employees worldwide. Despite past regulatory challenges with BaFin over staffing and anti-money laundering measures, N26 has bounced back, focusing on AI-driven features like personalized budgeting tools. Its global reach underscores Berlin’s ability to produce fintechs with international impact.
Solaris (Formerly Solarisbank)
Solaris, previously known as Solarisbank, provides Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS), allowing companies to offer financial products without building their own banking infrastructure. Founded in 2016, Solaris offers APIs for payments, lending, and digital banking, serving clients like Samsung and American Express. In 2024, it rebranded to Solaris and raised €96 million, bringing its total funding to over €500 million. By 2025, Solaris operates in 19 markets, supporting 750,000 end users through its partners. Its modular platform exemplifies how Berlin fintechs enable innovation beyond traditional banking.
Finleap
Finleap is a fintech ecosystem that builds and scales startups addressing specific financial pain points. Since its founding in 2014 by Ramin Niroumand, Finleap has launched 18 companies across 15 countries, including Penta and Solaris. In 2025, Finleap employs over 1,500 people and has facilitated €1.2 billion in total funding for its portfolio companies. It provides seed funding, tech infrastructure, and access to investors, making it a launchpad for fintech innovation. Finleap’s success shows how Berlin fosters not just startups but entire ecosystems.
The Bigger Picture for Berlin Fintech in 2025
Berlin’s fintech scene continues to grow, driven by advancements in AI, embedded finance, and partnerships with traditional banks. In 2024, partnerships flourished, with Deutsche Bank collaborating with Upvest to offer virtual IBANs and payment solutions, while Commerzbank teamed up with Pliant to enhance business credit card offerings. AI is also a major focus—startups like Briink are using AI to provide ESG data for sustainability teams, reflecting a broader trend of tech-driven financial innovation.
However, challenges remain. Funding for fintechs in Germany dipped in 2024, reflecting global economic uncertainty, though Berlin still secured 85% of the country’s fintech investments. Regulatory scrutiny is another hurdle; while BaFin’s FinTech Innovation Hub supports startups, compliance requirements can be tough for smaller companies. Despite these challenges, Berlin’s fintech sector remains resilient, with its 400+ companies creating a dynamic environment for growth.
Conclusion
Berlin may not get the same spotlight as London, but its fintech scene is thriving, with startups like N26, Trade Republic, and Solaris leading the charge. These companies are transforming how we bank, invest, and manage taxes, all while leveraging Berlin’s unique blend of talent, innovation, and supportive policies. As we move through 2025, Berlin’s role as Europe’s underappreciated fintech capital is becoming harder to ignore. Whether you’re an investor, entrepreneur, or just curious about financial tech, Berlin’s fintech startups are worth watching.