Scalable Capital vs Standard Chartered

Investor Presentation Released: Scalable Capital Bank GmbH

AI parsed presentation narrative: Scalable Capital is a leading European digital bank empowering retail investors across Europe through accessible online brokerage, automated wealth management, and high-yield overnight savings accounts. Additionally, it monetizes its technology platform through B2B white-label partnerships with major financial institutions like ING Deutschland and Raiffeisen Banking Group. Strategic pillars: Digital Retail Brokerage Expansion, Automated Digital Wealth Management.

Trade Republic launches free ETF pension deposit

Trade Republic, a Berlin-based neobroker, has announced a 'completely free' state-subsidized retirement deposit (Altersvorsorgedepot) ahead of its official launch. The offer includes no account management fees, no order fees, and permanently waived product costs for over 50 selected ETFs from Blackrock, DWS, and Vanguard. CEO Christian Hecker framed this as the start of a 'new stock culture in Europe' and aims to attract new customers through the company's largest marketing campaign to date. This aggressive pricing undercuts rivals like Scalable Capital and Smartbroker, intensifying competition for the lucrative retirement market that begins in January 2026, with government subsidies of up to 540 euros per adult and 300 euros per child annually. The deposit replaces the Riester pension.

• Trade Republic launches a completely free state-subsidized retirement deposit (Altersvorsorgedepot).
• The offer includes free account management, free orders, and permanently waived product costs for over 50 ETFs from Blackrock, DWS, and Vanguard.
• CEO Christian Hecker announces the start of a 'new stock culture in Europe' and expects significant customer growth.

Deutsche Bank Enters Price War for State-Subsidized Retirement Portfolio

Deutsche Bank is entering the competitive market for the new state-subsidized retirement investment account (Altersvorsorgedepot), which will launch in 2027. The bank emphasizes transparent pricing, avoiding 'loss-leader' offers. The product allows savers to invest in ETFs, stock funds, and bonds, with tax advantages and annual subsidies up to 540 euros (plus 300 euros per child). Deutsche Bank's standard digital-only depot, developed by DWS, will cost 0.1% annually for the first two years, then 0.28%. A more expensive advisory version costs 0.99% yearly. Competitors like Scalable Capital and Dekabank have already announced low-fee or fee-free structures. The article discusses the competitive landscape, concerns about future price increases, and the potential to boost Germany's equity culture.

• Deutsche Bank enters the Altersvorsorgedepot market with a standard digital depot costing 0.1% annually for the first two years, then 0.28%, and an advisory version at 0.99% per year.
• Scalable Capital launched the price war in August, offering no fees for depot management, savings plans, or trades on its standard depot, with running costs capped at 0.15% annually.
• Dekabank offers a standard depot with 0.1% yearly fees.

Sunrate and TourMind Partner for Travel Payment Boost

Sunrate, a global payments and treasury management platform, announced a strategic partnership with TourMind, an AI-driven travel transaction infrastructure platform, at ITB Asia 2026. The collaboration will integrate Sunrate's payment capabilities, including its Sunrate cards and the new 'Agentic Card', into TourMind's technology ecosystem. This integration aims to help travel companies optimize payment operations, manage cross-currency transactions, and support international growth. By embedding payment services into travel distribution and booking workflows, the partnership seeks to enhance operational efficiency and strengthen financial infrastructure for the global travel industry. Sunrate's CEO Paul Meng and TourMind's CEO Karma Young both emphasized the transformative role of AI in travel and the natural alignment of their companies' visions.

• Sunrate and TourMind announced a strategic partnership at ITB Asia 2026.
• Sunrate will integrate its payment capabilities into TourMind's AI-driven travel platform.
• Sunrate's 'Agentic Card' was introduced as part of the collaboration.

AI Director Sketches F1 Car for Standard Chartered Film

Standard Chartered's 'Move Ahead' film, an AI-generated F1 advertisement, was created by London studio Misideal, led by director Marcello Costa. Since the bank lacks its own F1 team, the car was entirely AI-generated, with Costa hand-sketching the vehicle to maintain control and avoid copyright issues. The film blends AI-generated environments with digital twins of real actors, whose likenesses were licensed. The project aimed to create imagery unattainable during the racing season. Costa discusses the challenges of AI reliability, cost comparisons with traditional production, and the rapid evolution of AI tools like Seedance 2.5. The campaign was produced with agency Leo Singapore, production company Stink, and media handled by Dentsu.

• Standard Chartered launched an AI-generated F1 ad film called 'Move Ahead'.
• The film was co-directed by Marcello Costa of AI studio Misideal and Tino of Stink.
• The car was hand-sketched by Costa and then rendered using AI tools, mainly Magnific.

OKX Raises $25B Valuation with Circle, Ripple, Standard Chartered

Crypto exchange OKX has closed a new funding round at a $25 billion valuation, with Circle, Ripple, Qube Research & Technologies (QRT), and SC Ventures (Standard Chartered's investment arm) joining as investors. The amount invested and equity stakes were not disclosed. The investors are all existing business partners of OKX: Circle issues USDC, Ripple's stablecoin RLUSD is integrated into OKX's order book, QRT provides liquidity, and Standard Chartered custodies BlackRock's BUIDL fund used as collateral. CEO Star Xu framed the round as strategically aligned rather than driven by financial need. The valuation matches the $25 billion from ICE's investment in March, and OKX is considering a US IPO within four years. The company also launched OKX Money to convert local currencies into dollar stablecoins for emerging markets.

• OKX raised new funding at a $25 billion valuation (approx. €22.2 billion).
• New investors include Circle, Ripple, Qube Research & Technologies, and SC Ventures.
• The investment amount and equity stakes were not disclosed.