Interactive Brokers has expanded its cryptocurrency trading services to retail investors across the European Economic Area (EEA), marking a significant move by a major traditional brokerage into the European digital asset market. The service, launched on March 31, 2026, is operated through its Irish subsidiary, Interactive Brokers Ireland Limited.
The rollout provides eligible individual investors in the EEA with access to 11 major cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Chainlink (LINK), Solana (SOL), Cardano (ADA), XRP, Dogecoin (DOGE), Avalanche (AVAX), and SUI. Trading is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The brokerage is competing aggressively on pricing, with commissions ranging from 0.12% to 0.18% of trade value, a minimum of $1.75 per order, and a cap at 1% of trade value. The firm charges no added spreads, markups, or custody fees. A comparison table from March 25, 2026, shows a $1,000 crypto trade costs $1.80 on Interactive Brokers, significantly undercutting rivals: Coinbase Advanced ($6.00), eToro ($10.00), Robinhood Crypto ($8.50), Fidelity Crypto ($10.00), and Gemini ActiveTrader ($12.00).
The service is integrated into Interactive Brokers' existing platforms, including Trader Workstation, IBKR Desktop, Client Portal, and mobile apps, allowing clients to manage traditional assets (equities, options, futures) and cryptocurrencies within a single, unified account. CEO Milan Galik stated the move addresses client demand for crypto exposure without sacrificing the pricing, tools, and trust of their existing platform.
The technical infrastructure and custody services are provided by Zero Hash Europe B.V., a Crypto-asset Service Provider authorized by the Dutch Authority for Financial Markets. All crypto transactions for EEA clients occur on its exchange. Edward Woodford, CEO of Zero Hash, noted the expansion opens access to a market of roughly 450 million people.
The launch occurred during a cautious period for crypto markets, with Bitcoin trading around $67,139 and the overall market sentiment indicated by an "Extreme Fear" reading on the Crypto Fear & Greed Index. The announcement did not trigger an immediate broad market reaction. The firm did not disclose launch-day trading volumes, client uptake figures, or expected revenue impact.
