New Descartes Invest Solution 2026: Everything you need to know

Descartes recently introduced a new investment solution. The updates are exciting for experienced investors, but especially for young or beginner investors. Why? Not only can you now invest with Descartes from as little as CHF 10, but you also always have full cost control.

In this experience report, you will find out everything you need to know about the new Descartes Invest solution and what makes it special.

📊 Descartes Invest - The most important facts at a glance

Regulation	FINMA-regulated - Custody account with Privatbank Lienhardt & Partner (since 1868)
Minimum investment	CHF 10
Total costs p.a.	0.84% - 1.05% (real all-in fee)
Incl. in fee	Spreads, transaction costs, FX, stamp duty (mostly), withdrawal/redemption commissions
Investment models	Index (passive) - minimum risk - Bitcoin barbell (up to 5% BTC)
Sustainability	ESG exclusions - Up to 50% lower CO₂ emissions with minimum risk
Pillar 3a / Vested benefits	✅ Yes
Children's Accounts	✅ Yes
Counselling	✅ Personal - Independent, owner-managed asset manager
Bitcoin strategy	Optional - only in free assets, not in 3a
Who is it suitable for?	Investors who want advice with fair total costs

💡 Schwiizerfranke assessment: Descartes is the best compromise between personalised advice, genuine cost transparency and innovative strategies - including a Bitcoin barbell option as the only provider. There are cheaper alternatives for pure cost optimisers. All providers in comparison →

Start conveniently from 10 francs

One of the most exciting innovations in Descartes is the possibility, Start investing from as little as CHF 10. Why is that exciting?

For beginners, high minimum volumes are usually a hurdle that prevents them from investing. Small amounts such as CHF 10 at Descartes Invest, on the other hand, enable a simple initial test and therefore do not put anyone off.

So with Descartes you can invest from as little as CHF 10 and get a Start a regular savings plan.

The special advantage of a savings plan? You basically never have to open a financial newspaper, but can set up a standing order and watch your investments grow over the long term.

Here is a brief comparison with other well-known providers. We don't even need to talk about the big banks:

	Descartes Finance	Findependent	Finpension Invest	Postfinance e-asset management	True Wealth
Minimum investment amount	CHF 10	CHF 500	CHF 1	CHF 5'000	CHF 8'500

Table in alphabetical order.

All-in fee structure: investing with absolute transparency

Another highlight of the Descartes investment solution is the Transparent and uncomplicated fee structure. Descartes offers you a "true all-in" fee, which covers all costs incurred in asset management.

Note: Unfortunately, the term "all-in" has been watered down by other providers, because then some other costs appear. This is different with Descartes, where investments are made with absolute transparency.

The Descartes fees are all-in and vary depending on the chosen strategy and equity allocation. They range from 0.84% to 1.05% per year.

In contrast to many other providers, Descartes already includes the following:

Spreads
Transaction costs
Administrative expenses
Foreign currency fees
Federal stamp duty included in most funds (¹)
Issue and redemption commissions

No hidden costs and a clear overview The information on the fees incurred gives you a clear overview of your assets with Descartes Invest.

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Very special: minimum variance strategy

With Descartes Finance, you can choose between two investment strategies. In addition to a classic, passive investment strategy, there is also a Minimum variance strategy as an investment model to choose from. The latter was developed in collaboration with OLZ and aims to minimise the risk of the portfolio while achieving a stable return. Sounds too good to be true, doesn't it?

A minimum variance strategy attempts to reduce fluctuation (volatility) by optimising the portfolio structure, which is particularly advantageous in uncertain market phases.

You may have already heard about the minimum variance strategy in the Descartes 3a Read report.

Advantages of the minimum variance strategy:

Low-risk investment: Reduces the fluctuation range of returns.
Stable returns: The aim is to achieve constant performance.
Optimised diversification: Broad diversification of the portfolio to minimise risk.

Disadvantages of the minimum variance strategy (minimum risk):

Limited potential returns: Potentially lower returns compared to riskier strategies.
Complexity: Requires comprehensive analysis and constant monitoring. This also results in higher costs. This is also reflected in the funds used by OLZ, which have a TER in the range of 0.6% to around 0.7% per year, i.e. around 2-3 times more than a classic ETF.

Supplement: Passive strategy

In addition to the minimum variance strategy, Descartes also offers a passive investment strategy on. This classic strategy relies on low-cost index funds and ETFs and aims to replicate the performance of a specific market index.

Advantages of the passive strategy:

Lower costs: Lower fees compared to actively managed funds.
Market return: Aims to achieve the average market return of an index.
Simplicity: Very low administrative effort and less complexity.

Disadvantages of the passive strategy:

No overperformance: No way to beat the market.
Market risk: Full participation in market downturns.

New: Bitcoin Barbell Strategy

Recently, Descartes has also integrated Bitcoin into its strategic asset allocation - with up to 5% depending on the risk profile. This innovative investment strategy is known as "Bitcoin Barbell" and combines the minimum variance strategy with a asymmetric Bitcoin component.

The term "barbell" describes an investment strategy that invests in both ends of the risk spectrum is - here the Stable minimum risk strategy on the one hand and Bitcoin as a growth component the other. The aim is to preserve and increase customers' assets after inflation.

A detailed analysis by Descartes has shown that Bitcoin is the Risk-return profile of a portfolio is sustainably improved. The five-year simulation shows an average Annual yield increase of 4.83 percentage points - with only Moderate increase in risk. Bitcoin integration is realised via the 21Shares Core Bitcoin ETP which enables regulated and secure Bitcoin allocation.

Important: The Bitcoin Barbell strategy is exclusively in free assets (Invest) available and not in pillar 3a or for vested benefits accounts.

Which of the investment models suits you?

Descartes now offers you Three clearly defined investment models on. Choosing the right model depends heavily on your expectations and risk tolerance:

1. index model (passive strategy):

Ideal for investors who believe in the Efficient market hypothesis believe
For those who inexpensive want to invest in a broad range of shares
If you value Simplicity and are prepared to accept market fluctuations

2. minimum risk model (minimum variance strategy):

For risk-averse investorsfor whom stability is more important than maximum return
To Hedging against extreme market events
If you are orientated towards the long term and More stable return strive for

3rd Bitcoin Barbell model:

For long-term investors who Stability with growth potential want to connect
For wealthy investors who have a High level of security with growth potential
If you are interested in the digital transformation without risking extreme fluctuations in the overall portfolio

To put it simply: if you can sit out stronger fluctuations, the passive index strategy suitable. If you are concerned about market fluctuations, the Minimum variance strategy more suitable. The Bitcoin barbell strategy offers an interesting middle ground with additional growth potential through the Bitcoin component.

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Sustainability at Descartes Invest

Descartes Invest's passive and minimum variance strategies are geared towards sustainability.

Compared to a comparable fund, the passive strategy a CO₂ load that is around 20% lower. ESG criteria are also implemented passively via exclusion criteria.

If sustainability is particularly important to you, the minimum variance strategy could be of particular interest to you. This has a 30-50% lower CO₂ emissions than a comparable passive fund on.

Security and important details at Descartes Invest

Descartes takes security very strictly and sees it as a FINMA regulated asset manager also checked.

In the event of bankruptcy, securities would in any case be held as special assets and not by the Swiss Deposit protection affected.

When you go through the uncomplicated and fully digital onboarding process at Descartes Invest, the Private Bank Lienhardt & Partner opens an account for you. Your money is then held and invested by a secure Swiss private bank that has been in existence since 1868. Descartes itself is independent of banks and owner-managed, which allows them to independently select the best fund products for clients.

The Zurich-based company is managed by co-founder Adriano Lucatelli, who taught at the University of Zurich and worked at various major banks.

The focus is visible every time you log in to the app or the web customer portal. You will then receive a code via SMS on your mobile phone for 2-factor confirmation. Payouts can only be made to an account in your name at a Swiss bank. This is intended to further increase Descartes security.

Overall, the safety standards are therefore very high.

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"Intelligent people learn from the mistakes of others".

We have compiled our top selection for you from all our tests and experience reports:

Conclusion: A fully digital and simple introduction to investing

With the new investment solution, Descartes offers an attractive option for anyone who wants to take their first steps in the world of investments. The combination of low entry barriers, transparent fee structure and a focus on Sustainability make the Descartes investment solution an exciting proposition.

The three clearly defined investment models - Index, Minimum Risk and Bitcoin Barbell - offer the right strategy for different types of investors. Particularly innovative is the Bitcoin barbell strategywhich combines classic portfolio theory with the growth potential of cryptocurrencies.

Thanks to the three strategies to choose from, as well as the well-rounded offering with Descartes 3a and their Vested benefits account we will probably hear a lot more from Descartes in the future.

More about You can find out more about Descartes Invest here on their website. If you have any questions about the provider or the two strategies, feel free to ask them in the comments!

FAQ

How does Descartes' minimum variance strategy work?

The minimum variance strategy aims to minimise the risk in the portfolio by examining the volatility (fluctuation) of the individual investments historically. The fluctuation in the portfolio is reduced through an active selection of securities as well as broad diversification and optimisation.

What fees are charged by Descartes?

As a Swiss asset manager with fair and transparent fees, Descartes Invest offers an all-in fee structure of between 0.84%-1.05%, depending on the investment strategy.

Which banks does Descartes work with?

Descartes cooperates with the Swiss private bank Lienhardt & Partner for account and custody account management.

Can I invest small amounts with Descartes?

Yes, with the new Descartes solution you can customise and invest in savings plans from as little as CHF 10. This makes it particularly easy to start investing on a regular basis, making it especially attractive for young investors and newcomers.

What other solutions does Descartes offer?

In addition to investing in free assets, you can use the solution for vested benefits and pillar 3a pension accounts for unrestricted pension provision. The Zurich-based fintech Descartes therefore not only offers favourable and sustainable investment solutions with a high equity component and low entry barriers, but also attractive offers for unrestricted and restricted pension provision.

What does Descartes have to do with Yuh?

Descartes also offers a B2B business and thus enables other digital providers to use the Descartes platform. The well-known smartphone investment app Yuh, for example, uses Descartes' Pillar 3a.

(¹) Stamp duty not included for all products. See note on the Descartes fees page: Swiss stamp duty (0.075% for domestic ETFs and 0.15% for foreign ETFs) is only payable on the Swisscanto (LU) Money Market Fund Responsible CHF FT and OLZ Equity Emerging Market Optimised ESG funds, as these are registered abroad.

Transparency notice: This article was created in collaboration with Descartes. However, the content and presentation were created freely and independently of Schwiizerfranke.

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New Descartes Invest Solution 2026: Everything you need to know

Table of contents

Start conveniently from 10 francs

All-in fee structure: investing with absolute transparency

In contrast to many other providers, Descartes already includes the following:

Top recommendations for 2026

Very special: minimum variance strategy

Supplement: Passive strategy

New: Bitcoin Barbell Strategy

Which of the investment models suits you?

1. index model (passive strategy):

2. minimum risk model (minimum variance strategy):

3rd Bitcoin Barbell model:

Our financial tips for 2026

Sustainability at Descartes Invest

Security and important details at Descartes Invest

Our financial tips for 2026

Conclusion: A fully digital and simple introduction to investing

FAQ

How does Descartes' minimum variance strategy work?

What fees are charged by Descartes?

Which banks does Descartes work with?

Can I invest small amounts with Descartes?

What other solutions does Descartes offer?

What does Descartes have to do with Yuh?

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