Formerly known as Amsterdam’s Stock Exchange, Euronext Amsterdam is doing splendidly — now, they want to make investing locally even easier.
According to AD, companies are showing growing interest in IPO’s, and share prices are generally rising.
In other words, 2026 shows signs of being a great year for Euronext, which also welcomed several large companies in 2025.
So, if everything is going so swimmingly, why are they looking to make changes?
Euronext wants local, private investment
While this all sounds like good news, Euronext CEO René van Vlerken argues that these benefits rarely trickle back to the wider population (since the main investors at Euronext are companies, not individuals).
Rather than investing here, Dutch people are putting their money in the American stock market.
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Van Vlerken argues that European regulation (and Dutch regulation specifically) makes private investment too difficult.
Speaking with AD, he explained, “You have to pass a sort of exam before you can invest, and it’s a lot of paperwork. Private investors are practically demotivated.”
The investment hub is therefore looking to keep Dutch money in the Netherlands by making it simpler and more appealing to invest locally, rather than in the US.
Why do Dutchies cling to their cash?
It’s a bit surprising that the Dutch are so careful about investing, given how low interest rates currently are.
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If anything, there is plenty of motivation to get your money out of the bank (since it’s definitely not growing there).
Younger investors, for instance, are even turning to crypto, reports AD. So, clearly, there is a desire to invest.
According to van Vlerken, though, while companies are happily breaking into the stock exchange, private investors are not too keen. He says this is also due to a lack of awareness.
“We need to convince investors that there are European gems worth investing in and ensure we identify and continue to support the new ASMLs,” he said to AD.
What’s the solution?
To hear van Vlerken tell it, the plan involves a whole lot of convincing.
Not only should banks be discouraged from making private investment more difficult, but individuals should also be encouraged to support European companies.
He also says pension funds need to be drawn in. Rather than investing in American tech giants, they could be putting their money into Euronext, says van Vlerken.
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It’s also about easing regulation.
Some argue that the relative ease of investing in the US, with apps and online brokers, is incomparable to the hoops a Dutch individual must jump through to invest in Euronext-listed companies.
And, says van Vlerken, education is a key factor: “We advocate for including investing in secondary school curricula.”
Introducing your teenager’s new favourite class: Money Moves 101.
What do you think of Euronext’s ambitions? Let us know in the comments!
