Founded in 1978 and publicly listed on NASDAQ (ticker: IBKR), Interactive Brokers is one of the world’s most trustworthy brokers, having weathered multiple major financial crises while maintaining a rigorous risk management process. The firm is now also part of the S&P 500 index.
This article covers IBKR’s current cryptocurrency offering (including the major 2025-2026 expansion in both the US and Europe) and the alternatives for those wanting access to a broader range of crypto assets.
Can you buy crypto with Interactive Brokers?
Yes – Interactive Brokers now offers crypto trading to a substantially expanded client base following its 2025-2026 product rollout. The current state of play:
- 11 cryptocurrencies are now available: Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Chainlink (LINK), Solana (SOL), Cardano (ADA), Ripple (XRP), Dogecoin (DOGE), Avalanche (AVAX), and Sui (SUI). This is a major expansion from the original four-coin lineup. IBKR also launched Coinbase Derivatives nano Bitcoin and nano Ether futures on the platform in February 2026.
- Access still depends on where you reside and which IBKR entity holds your account, but the universe of eligible regions has grown considerably (more below).
For US clients, crypto trading is provided through Interactive Brokers LLC with execution and custody handled by Paxos Trust Company or Zero Hash LLC, depending on account type. US clients can also choose between two permission tiers (Crypto Basic for standard access and Crypto Plus for 24/7 trading and additional features).
For European clients (EEA), IBKR launched crypto trading on 31 March 2026 via Interactive Brokers Ireland Limited in partnership with Zero Hash. Eligible EEA retail investors can now trade all 11 cryptocurrencies through the standard IBKR platform suite (Trader Workstation, IBKR Desktop, Client Portal, IBKR Mobile, and IBKR GlobalTrader). This is a substantial change – until March 2026, European clients were entirely excluded from IBKR’s crypto offering.
For Hong Kong clients, crypto trading is available through Interactive Brokers Hong Kong, with execution handled by OSL Digital Securities.
For UK clients, since 8 October 2024, cryptocurrencies are accessible to UK residents through crypto Exchange-Traded Notes (ETNs), following the FCA’s October 2024 decision to open retail access to crypto ETNs. Note that these products are not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), and the FCA’s ban on retail access to cryptoasset derivatives (CFDs) remains in place.
IBKR also applies position limits on crypto exposure to ensure digital assets remain a complement to its core securities business: up to 30% of total account equity across securities and crypto accounts, capped at USD 3 million.
Interactive Brokers’ crypto fees
Cryptocurrency trading on Interactive Brokers has a low commission of 0.12% to 0.18% of trade value (depending on monthly volume), with a $1.75 minimum per order and a maximum of 1% of trade value. For example, a $100 order would cost $1 (the maximum), while a $10,000 order would cost between $12 and $18 depending on your tier.
There are no added spreads, markups, or custody fees on top of the commission – a meaningful advantage over most crypto exchanges and other brokers, where the headline “no commission” is typically offset by significant bid-ask spreads or built-in markups. IBKR’s transparent pricing structure is one of the main reasons it stands out in the crypto brokerage space.
Crypto derivatives on Interactive Brokers
Alongside its real crypto offering (now available to US, EEA, and Hong Kong clients), Interactive Brokers also provides access to a range of crypto derivatives – most notably regulated futures contracts on leading exchanges. For clients in jurisdictions where real crypto trading is not yet available, derivatives can be the primary route to crypto exposure on the platform.
A futures contract is a standardised agreement to buy or sell an asset at a predetermined price on a specified future date. With futures, you don’t actually own the underlying cryptocurrency, but you can gain exposure to its price movements – and in some cases use leverage to amplify those movements.
IBKR’s current crypto futures and derivatives lineup includes:
- CME Bitcoin Futures (BRR) – the flagship cash-settled BTC futures contract;
- CME Micro Bitcoin Futures (MBT) – smaller-contract version for retail-sized positions;
- CME Ether Futures (ETHUSDRR);
- CME Micro Ether Futures (MET);
- Coinbase Derivatives nano Bitcoin and nano Ether futures – launched on IBKR in February 2026, available with monthly expirations or as perpetual-style contracts, with 24/7 trading;
- ICE Bakkt® Bitcoin Futures (BAKKT) – physically settled BTC futures.
CME cryptocurrency futures commissions start at $0.10 per contract (CME Micro Ether Futures, MET) and can run up to $5 per contract (CME Bitcoin Futures, BRR). On top of the IBKR commission, you’ll typically also pay exchange, clearing, and regulatory fees.
Pros and cons of investing in Crypto Futures
Pros
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Easy way to invest in crypto through your broker. The hassle of opening a new account in an exclusively dedicated crypto broker or another traditional broker with direct exposure to cryptos may not be entirely justified (for organizational purposes, for example).
- You use only a portion of your money. You just need to put in a margin that works as collateral if the market moves opposite to the position you have taken and incurs losses. This can also be a Con (“leverage issues”).
Cons
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You have no direct ownership of crypto. Since you do not directly own the cryptos, you can’t transfer into another wallet, make peer-to-peer transactions, use voting rights, and other keyholder rights.
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Whereas Cryptocurrencies can be traded 24/7, Futures only transact during market hours. CME and ICE exchanges operate between 17:00-16:00 and 19:00-17:00 Chicago Time, respectively, from Sunday to Friday.
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Leverage issues. In a Future contract, you are leveraged. So, if you do not initiate your trade with that in mind, you may overexpose yourself to the crypto market risk.
- Expiration. Every Future contract has an expiration date. For instance, in the CME Group Micro Bitcoin Futures Contracts, your contract ends in 6 months. So, you would need to reenter another agreement. In real crypto, you can hold any crypto forever.
Please remember that to trade cryptocurrency futures, you must have trading permissions for US Crypto Futures. It can be done through the Client Portal by clicking the “User menu” (head and shoulders icon in the top right corner) followed by “Manage Account”. Next, click the gear icon in the top right corner of the “Trading Experience & Permissions” section. Go to the “Futures” section and check off “United States (Crypto)”.
Interactive Brokers crypto alternatives
If you’re located in a jurisdiction where IBKR’s crypto offering isn’t yet available, or simply want access to a wider universe of digital assets than IBKR’s 11-coin lineup, here are the top alternatives worth considering:
eToro
Trusted by over 40 million users worldwide and publicly listed on NASDAQ (ticker: ETOR) since May 2025, eToro gives you access to over 100 cryptocurrencies – now offered under the EU’s MiCA framework. You can trade independently or copy other investors via eToro’s social trading features. Read our eToro summary below (and our detailed comparison between eToro and Interactive Brokers).
Coinbase
Coinbase is the leading crypto exchange in the US and a member of the S&P 500 index since May 2025. It serves around 120 million users across more than 100 countries and ranks among the top 6 exchanges globally by trading volume (controlling roughly 6.9% of worldwide volume and over 50% of the US spot market). Coinbase acquired derivatives exchange Deribit in May 2025 for approximately $2.9 billion. Explore our Coinbase summary.
Crypto.com
Crypto.com is one of the largest crypto investment, trading, and staking platforms globally, with over 100 million users. It issues the Cronos (CRO) token, supports payments via the Crypto.com Visa card and DeFi Wallet app, and operates the Cronos blockchain ecosystem. The platform secured a MiCA licence in the EU through its Malta entity in 2025. Explore our Crypto.com summary.
Kraken
Founded in 2011, Kraken is one of the world’s largest and longest-running crypto exchanges, serving over 10 million users across 190+ countries, with a particularly strong presence in Europe. Kraken’s parent company Payward confidentially filed for a US IPO in April 2026 and is reportedly targeting a listing in Q2-Q3 2026 (most recent valuation around $13 billion). Read our Kraken summary.
Disclaimer: You should be aware that the risk of loss in trading or holding digital currencies can be substantial. As with any asset, the value of digital currencies can go up or down, and there can be a considerable risk that you lose money buying, selling, holding, or investing in digital currencies.
1. eToro
52% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
Founded in 2007 in Israel, eToro is a well-known global fintech and the leader in social trading (following and copying other investors’ trades), with over 40 million users worldwide. Alongside crypto, the platform also offers real stocks, ETFs, and CFDs on stocks, ETFs, commodities, forex, and indices.
The eToro platform is intuitive and beginner-friendly, with $0 commission on real ETFs and $1 commission on real stocks in most major markets (other fees apply). Opening an account and depositing is easy, and you can try the platform first with a $100,000 demo account. You can fund your account via debit card, bank transfer, e-wallets, and (depending on region) other payment methods.
On the downside, withdrawals carry a $5 flat fee with a $30 minimum, and spreads can be high on some products. Following eToro’s 2026 multi-currency rollout, you can now hold accounts in USD, EUR, GBP, or AUD – reducing FX conversion costs for non-USD users, though FX fees still apply when trading assets denominated in a currency other than your base.
Note: credit cards and PayPal are not available for deposits for users under FCA regulation. CFD trading carries significant risk – around 51% of retail accounts lose money trading CFDs with eToro.
Want to know more about eToro? Read our full eToro review.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 52% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
2. Coinbase
Coinbase is the leading US crypto exchange by users, with around 120 million registered users worldwide. The platform is designed for both beginners and more experienced investors – the latter can use the integrated Coinbase Advanced interface (formerly Coinbase Pro, rebranded and merged into the main platform in 2022-2023), which offers professional-grade order types and significantly lower fees.
The range of supported cryptocurrencies is extensive, covering everything from major coins (BTC, ETH, SOL, XRP) to a long tail of newer tokens. Coinbase also offers a highly functional mobile app, staking on supported chains, USDC stablecoin yield, and – following its May 2025 acquisition of Deribit (for approximately $2.9 billion) – a full crypto derivatives platform.
On the downside, Coinbase’s standard “Buy/Sell” interface has high fees (particularly on smaller transactions below ~$200) and a comparatively complex fee structure. Investors trading larger sums or actively are far better served by Coinbase Advanced or by subscribing to Coinbase One (from $4.99/month for the basic tier), which includes zero trading fees up to a monthly volume cap.
On the regulatory side, Coinbase is licensed for money transmission in most US jurisdictions, became a member of the S&P 500 in May 2025, and operates in the EU under MiCA via Coinbase Ireland Limited, which is supervised by the Central Bank of Ireland.
3. Crypto.com
Crypto.com is an all-in-one crypto trading and ecosystem platform, originally founded in 2016 (as Monaco Technologies, rebranded to Crypto.com in 2018). The platform lets users trade, spend, stake, and store cryptocurrencies, with its native token Cronos (CRO) powering the broader Crypto.com ecosystem and Cronos blockchain.
With over 250 supported cryptocurrencies, Crypto.com is one of the broadest exchanges by asset coverage. It also offers a Visa prepaid card for crypto spending (with cashback rewards), staking products, NFT marketplace access, and a self-custodial DeFi Wallet. In the EU, Crypto.com secured a MiCA licence through its Malta entity in 2025, allowing full EU passporting of crypto services.
On the downside, newer crypto investors may find the platform’s interface and tiered product range (Exchange, App, DeFi Wallet, Earn, etc.) overwhelming, educational materials are not as developed as on Coinbase or Kraken, and the standard App fees can be high for smaller and low-volume trades. Active traders are better served by the Crypto.com Exchange interface, which uses maker-taker pricing similar to other professional crypto exchanges.
4. Kraken
Kraken at a glance
Founded in 2011, Kraken is one of the oldest and most established crypto exchanges in the world. You can buy and sell over 200 cryptocurrencies with competitive fees (maker fees from 0% to 0.25%, taker fees from 0.10% to 0.40% on Kraken Pro depending on 30-day volume), versatile funding options, 24/7 customer support via live chat, and high security standards (Kraken has never suffered a major exchange hack since launch).
Kraken provides dedicated educational content through its Kraken Learn Center, with guides, tutorials, and explainers covering everything from basic crypto concepts to advanced trading strategies. The platform also offers staking on supported chains, futures, and margin trading.
The standard “Buy crypto” interface (instant buy) is more expensive than Kraken Pro – fees start at 0.9% for stablecoins and rise to 1.5% for other cryptos. For active or larger-ticket traders, Kraken Pro is the better choice; the simpler app may feel basic if you’re looking for more advanced charting or order types. Kraken’s parent company, Payward, filed confidentially for a US IPO in April 2026, with a listing reportedly targeted for Q2-Q3 2026 – an event worth watching for institutional credibility implications.
Which crypto platform should you choose?
Following IBKR’s 2025-2026 crypto expansion, real crypto trading is now available to IBKR clients in the US (via Interactive Brokers LLC), the EEA (via IBKR Ireland), and Hong Kong (via IBKR HK), plus UK retail access via crypto ETNs. If you’re in a region not yet covered or you want broader asset selection, deeper crypto-native features (staking, DeFi, NFTs), or significantly more coins than IBKR’s 11-asset lineup, you’ll want to look elsewhere – or accept the complexity of crypto derivatives if you’re staying within IBKR.
Before making a final decision, weigh several factors: exchange security (custody arrangements, insurance, hack history), fees (both headline commissions and spread/markup costs), liquidity on the specific assets you trade, regulatory standing in your jurisdiction (and any prior enforcement actions), asset coverage, and platform usability for your level of experience.
The best crypto exchange for you will depend on your experience, preferences, and objectives. Explore the platforms above and decide what fits your situation best.
A reminder that the above should not be seen as investment advice and should be considered information only. Investors should do their own research and diligence about the best-suited services and opportunities for risk, returns, and impact strategy.
FAQs
Can I transfer my crypto assets from the IB-linked Paxos Account?
Yes, you can! Even if IBKR ceases operations, you would be able to do it with no problem. Please look for the Paxos T&Cs instructions for how to do it.
Can I short-sell cryptocurrencies at IBKR?
No, you are not permitted to short cryptocurrencies in Interactive Brokers.
Can I trade Shiba Inu, Ripple, Stellar, Cardano, Dogecoin, or other altcoins in Interactive Brokers?
No, IBKR only offers access to four cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin and Bitcoin Cash.
What is Paxos Trust? Is it involved in my crypto trading?
Paxos Trust is a New York Limited Trust Company licensed by the New York Department of Financial Services, specifically authorized to engage in virtual currency services. A partner of IBKR working as an independent entity.
As soon as you start trading cryptocurrencies, you are logging through Interactive Brokers but opening an account with Paxos Trust so that all crypto trading will be performed within your Paxos account. This means Paxos Trust will be your custodian and counterparty for crypto trades while holding your digital assets for you and representing the ownership (yours) on their internal ledger.
Is crypto investing covered by SIPC, FDIC or any other Investor Protection Scheme?
No, crypto investing is not covered by any investor protection scheme.
Crypto entities are not insured banks, so the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) coverage, $250,000 per depositor, is not applicable.
In addition, the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) does not protect digital assets. Brokerage firms are not permitted to have custody of non-securities digital assets. A broker wanting to offer crypto investing for its clients must work with an additional party (Paxos Trust in the IBKR case). These crypto brokers/custodians are not broker-dealers, crypto assets are not securities, and so the SIPC coverage of $500,000, which includes a $250,000 limit for cash, does not apply.
Can I trade Bitcoin and Ethereum on Interactive Brokers?
Yes, Interactive Brokers Bitcoin and Ethereum trading are available.
