Interactive Brokers (NASDAQ: IBKR) has launched a new feature allowing clients to transfer existing cryptocurrency holdings from external wallets and platforms directly into their IBKR-linked accounts without first liquidating their positions. Announced on March 25 from its Greenwich, Connecticut headquarters, this move significantly deepens the brokerage's push to become a single destination for managing both traditional and digital assets.
The feature supports major cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Solana (SOL), with custody handled through regulated partners Paxos Trust Company and zerohash. CEO Milan Galik framed the announcement as a direct response to friction in the crypto trading experience, stating, "Crypto investors should be able to access competitive crypto pricing and diversified investment opportunities without managing multiple accounts or liquidating their positions."
A central part of IBKR's pitch is its aggressive fee structure. The brokerage charges commissions of 0.12% to 0.18% of trade value, with a minimum of $1.75 per order and no added spreads or markups. This undercuts the industry norm of up to 2.00% or more on many retail crypto platforms. The transfer itself is designed not to be a taxable event in many jurisdictions, as assets are moved, not sold.
This development is part of a broader, deliberate build-out of IBKR's digital asset infrastructure. The firm began offering crypto trading in 2021 with Bitcoin and Ethereum, later adding Solana, XRP, and other tokens. In January 2026, it launched 24/7 stablecoin account funding, enabling instant USD conversion from USDC deposits via zerohash. In February 2026, it further expanded by adding Coinbase Derivatives perpetual-style futures contracts to its platform.
The move positions IBKR in increasingly direct competition with crypto-native exchanges for active traders, particularly those seeking integrated access to traditional markets. It also responds to a 2024 survey by the Financial Technology Association, which found that 68% of investors with crypto holdings desired a single platform for all their investments. The feature allows transferred crypto to become part of a client's portfolio equity, which can be used to meet margin requirements for trading other products like stocks or options, subject to IBKR's specific rules.
