Interactive Brokers Introduces Direct Crypto Transfers from External Wallets

Interactive Brokers has unveiled a new feature that allows clients to transfer cryptocurrencies directly from external wallets to their IBKR accounts without needing to sell their assets first. This move is part of the company’s commitment to providing a low-cost, multi-asset trading platform.

Key Takeaways

Interactive Brokers (NASDAQ: IBKR) has introduced a feature enabling clients to transfer supported cryptocurrencies directly from external wallets to their IBKR accounts without liquidation.
The service allows for the transfer of major cryptocurrencies like Solana, Bitcoin, and Ethereum through regulated partners Paxos and zerohash.
The brokerage emphasizes its competitive pricing structure, charging between 0.12% and 0.18% per trade, significantly lower than many retail crypto platforms.
This feature aligns with IBKR’s strategy to streamline the trading process, making it easier for users to manage a diverse portfolio that includes traditional and digital assets.

Interactive Brokers crypto transfer feature dashboard illustration

Main Content

On Wednesday, Interactive Brokers (IBKR) rolled out a new crypto portfolio transfer feature, enabling clients to move their existing digital asset holdings from external wallets or platforms directly into their IBKR crypto accounts without having to liquidate their positions first. As detailed in a BusinessWire press release, this service is available to eligible clients of Interactive Brokers LLC and Interactive Brokers (U.K.) Limited, allowing for transactions involving Solana, Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other supported cryptocurrencies. Clients can now manage these digital assets alongside stocks, options, futures, currencies, and bonds all within a single interface.

CEO Milan Galik highlighted this initiative as a solution to the challenges many crypto investors face. “Crypto investors should be able to access competitive crypto pricing and diversified investment opportunities without managing multiple accounts or selling their positions,” he explained. “By enabling direct crypto portfolio transfers, we’re simplifying the trading process and allowing traders to take advantage of IBKR’s low-cost crypto trading while accessing our extensive global markets.”

Pricing is a key aspect of IBKR’s offering. The brokerage charges commissions ranging from 0.12% to 0.18% of the trade value, with a minimum fee of $1.75 per order and no added spreads or markups. This is in stark contrast to many retail crypto platforms, which can impose fees of up to 2.00% or more, along with hidden costs. Earlier this year, IBKR introduced 24/7 stablecoin account funding, enabling clients to deposit USDC and convert it to USD almost instantly, thus eliminating the need for cross-border wire transfers that usually take one to three business days and incur fees of $25 to $50 per transaction.

The new portfolio transfer feature is part of a comprehensive expansion strategy. IBKR began offering crypto trading in 2021, starting with Bitcoin and Ethereum, then adding Solana, XRP, and more tokens in the following years. In February 2026, the brokerage continued this trajectory by incorporating Coinbase Derivatives perpetual-style futures contracts into its platform. Crypto custody is managed through two regulated partners: Paxos Trust Company, overseen by the New York Department of Financial Services, and zerohash, a FinCEN-registered money services business that holds a BitLicense from the NYDFS.

This strategic move places IBKR in increasing competition with crypto-native exchanges, especially among active traders who seek access to both traditional markets and digital assets. Notably, as observed in another crypto.news report, Morgan Stanley also plans to introduce crypto trading on E-Trade by 2026, indicating that traditional brokerages are collectively accelerating their digital asset integration.

Interactive Brokers caters to individual investors, hedge funds, proprietary trading groups, financial advisors, and introducing brokers across over 170 global markets. As a member of the S&P 500, the firm is known for its low costs and extensive market access. The introduction of the portfolio transfer feature is aimed at users who currently hold crypto on other platforms but desire lower trading expenses and integrated access to traditional markets—without the complications of liquidating their assets to make the move.

“Perpetual-style crypto futures have gained popularity among traders due to their long-dated exposure and increased flexibility,” Galik mentioned during the launch of Coinbase Derivatives contracts in February. With the new portfolio transfer option, those traders can now seamlessly bring their existing crypto holdings onto the IBKR platform in a single step. This further demonstrates IBKR’s strategic vision, viewing crypto infrastructure as a core component of its long-term platform strategy, rather than a supplementary feature.