Interactive Brokers enables Bitcoin, Ether trading for European retail users

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Interactive Brokers has rolled out crypto trading for retail investors across the European Economic Area, allowing eligible users to access digital assets alongside traditional markets through a single platform.

According to a Tuesday announcement, the service is being offered through the company’s Ireland-based entity, which operates as an authorized crypto-asset service provider in the region.

The move comes as Europe’s regulatory environment, under the Markets in Crypto-Assets framework, has begun to provide a clearer footing for traditional financial firms entering the space.

Clients can trade 11 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, directly within their brokerage accounts.

Trading is integrated with existing portfolios, offering 24/7 market access and commissions starting between 0.12% and 0.18%.

Among the supported assets are Bitcoin, Ether, Solana, XRP, Cardano, and Dogecoin, all available alongside stocks, options, futures, and currencies on the same interface.

The underlying trading and custody infrastructure is provided by Zero Hash.

Interactive Brokers, a US-based electronic brokerage, offers access to more than 170 markets globally and has been gradually expanding its digital asset capabilities in response to rising demand.

Despite the expansion, crypto remains a relatively small contributor to the firm’s overall business.

Speaking during a January earnings call, chief executive Milan Galik said “crypto revenues are, at the moment, small relative to the overall company's revenues,” while outlining plans to introduce the European offering within the first quarter.

He also indicated that additional features, including client asset transfers, are expected to follow, adding that “some crypto assets will migrate to our platform and take advantage of our superior pricing.”

Stablecoin support

Around the same time, Invezz reported that the firm enabled eligible clients to fund brokerage accounts using stablecoins to a broader client base after testing the feature among its US clientele.

Initial support includes USDC deposits across Ethereum, Solana, and Base networks, with incoming funds automatically converted into US dollars and credited to client accounts.

The brokerage does not charge fees for these deposits, although users must cover blockchain network costs, while Zero Hash applies a 0.30% conversion fee with a minimum of $1.

Traditional companies are rushing to crypto

Expansion into crypto trading comes as Europe’s regulatory environment, shaped by the implementation of the Markets in Crypto-Assets framework, has begun to draw more traditional financial institutions into the sector.

Several established banks and brokerages have moved to introduce crypto-linked products or direct trading access for retail users.

BNP Paribas has recently introduced crypto-linked exchange-traded notes tied to Bitcoin and Ether for retail investors in France, with plans to extend the offering across Europe.

Societe Generale, through its digital asset arm FORGE, has rolled out services including its EUR CoinVertible stablecoin alongside custody and trading capabilities for broader client segments.

Elsewhere, firms such as Fidelity Investments continue to expand their crypto footprint by offering direct trading, crypto-linked funds, and retirement account exposure, while also issuing a US dollar-pegged stablecoin as part of its push into tokenized finance.
source: https://www.tradingview.com/news/invezz:c70e3ef70094b:0-interactive-brokers-enables-bitcoin-ether-trading-for-european-retail-users/

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