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No separate exchange. No extra app. No transferring funds between platforms.
This guide walks you through everything: which cryptos are available, how to enable trading permissions, placing your first order, understanding the fees, and why this matters for European investors who've been stuck juggling multiple platforms.
What's Available: The 11 Supported Crypto Assets
Interactive Brokers Ireland Limited (the regulated entity handling EEA crypto) currently supports these 11 tokens:
| Token | Ticker | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin | BTC | Store of value |
| Ethereum | ETH | Smart contract platform |
| Solana | SOL | High-speed L1 |
| Ripple | XRP | Cross-border payments |
| Litecoin | LTC | Bitcoin alternative |
| Bitcoin Cash | BCH | Bitcoin fork |
| Chainlink | LINK | Oracle network |
| Cardano | ADA | Proof-of-stake L1 |
| Dogecoin | DOGE | Meme / payments |
| Avalanche | AVAX | Multi-chain L1 |
| Sui | SUI | Move-based L1 |
The selection covers the major blue-chip cryptos that most European investors actually want exposure to. If you need access to hundreds of altcoins, you'll still want a dedicated crypto exchange like OKX alongside your IBKR account.
How It Works: The IBKR + Zerohash Setup
IBKR partnered with Zerohash, a regulated digital asset infrastructure provider, to handle crypto transactions. Here's what that means in practice:
- Execution: When you place a crypto order, Zerohash processes the trade
- Custody: Your crypto is held through Zerohash's regulated infrastructure
- Settlement: Trades settle similarly to other IBKR assets
- Regulation: Interactive Brokers Ireland Limited is an authorized crypto-asset service provider in the EEA
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Before you can trade crypto on IBKR, verify these requirements:
Account type: Individual account held with Interactive Brokers Ireland Limited. If your account is under a different IBKR entity (UK, US, Hong Kong, etc.), this doesn't apply yet. Residency: You must be a resident of an EEA country. The EEA includes all 27 EU member states plus Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. Account status: Your account must be fully approved with all identity verification complete.Not sure which IBKR entity holds your account? Log into Client Portal → click your name in the top right → Account Settings. Your entity is listed under "Account Information."
Step 2: Enable Crypto Trading Permissions
Crypto trading isn't enabled by default. You need to opt in:
1. Log into Client Portal at https://www.interactivebrokers.ie
2. Navigate to Settings → Account Settings 3. Find Trading Permissions (under Trading Experience & Permissions) 4. Click Configure or the pencil icon 5. Look for Crypto in the asset class list 6. Check the box to enable crypto trading 7. Review and accept the crypto trading disclosures 8. Click Save and wait for approvalApproval is usually instant for existing accounts in good standing. In some cases, IBKR may ask additional questions about your trading experience with digital assets.
Tip: While you're in Trading Permissions, check that your other asset classes are set up too. If you're also trading stocks and options, having everything enabled in one session saves time. See our IBKR account setup guide for the full permissions walkthrough.Step 3: Fund Your Account (If Needed)
You need funds in your IBKR account to buy crypto. Several options:
Bank transfer (SEPA): The standard way for European investors. Transfer EUR from your bank. Usually arrives within 1 business day. No fees from IBKR's side. Stablecoin deposit (USDC): IBKR accepts USDC deposits via Ethereum, Solana, and Base networks. This is useful if you already hold crypto and want to move value into IBKR without converting to fiat first. Base network is cheapest (around €0.05 in gas fees vs €2-5 on Ethereum). See our IBKR crypto deposit guide for the step-by-step. Crypto portfolio transfer: Since March 25, 2026, you can also transfer crypto directly from external wallets into your IBKR account — BTC, ETH, SOL and more — without selling first. Internal transfer: If you hold other assets in IBKR, you can sell some and use the proceeds. No waiting for external transfers.Step 4: Place Your First Crypto Trade
Once permissions are enabled and your account is funded, buying crypto works just like buying a stock.
On IBKR Desktop or TWS:
1. Search for the crypto in the order entry field — type "BTC" or "Bitcoin"
2. Select the BTC/EUR (or BTC/USD) trading pair 3. Choose your order type: - Market order: Buy immediately at the current price. Simple but you pay the spread - Limit order: Set your maximum price. Only executes at your price or better. Recommended for larger amounts 4. Enter the quantity — IBKR supports fractional crypto, so you can buy €100 worth of Bitcoin 5. Review the order details, including the estimated commission 6. Click SubmitOn IBKR Mobile or GlobalTrader:
1. Search for "BTC" in the search bar
2. Tap Trade → Buy 3. Enter the amount in EUR or as a quantity 4. Select Market or Limit order 5. Swipe to confirmOn Client Portal (Web):
1. Go to Trading → Order Ticket
2. Search for the crypto asset 3. Fill in order details 4. Submit Trading hours: Crypto trades 24/7 on IBKR — including weekends and holidays. This is one of the advantages over traditional assets that close on weekends.Understanding the Fees
IBKR's crypto fee structure is straightforward and competitive:
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Commission | 0.12% – 0.18% of trade value |
| Custody fee | None |
| Inactivity fee | None |
| Withdrawal fee | Network-dependent |
How does this compare?
Let's say you're buying €1,000 worth of Bitcoin:
- IBKR: €1.80 (0.18%)
- Coinbase (Europe): Up to €6.00 (0.6% standard)
- Revolut: €15.00 (1.49% standard plan)
- OKX: €1.00 (0.10% taker)
For a detailed fee comparison across platforms, see our IBKR vs Coinbase vs OKX crypto fees analysis.
Managing Your Crypto Portfolio
Once you own crypto on IBKR, here's what you can do:
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Your crypto holdings appear alongside all your other assets in the portfolio view. You can see:
- Current value in EUR (or your base currency)
- Unrealized P&L
- Position as a percentage of your total portfolio
- Daily/weekly/monthly performance
PortfolioAnalyst integration
IBKR's PortfolioAnalyst and Tax Planner tools include your crypto holdings. This means:
- Benchmark your crypto performance against your stock portfolio
- Generate tax reports that include crypto gains/losses
- Track your overall portfolio allocation including digital assets
Setting alerts
You can set price alerts for crypto just like stocks — through TWS, IBKR Desktop, or the mobile app. Useful for monitoring entry/exit points without staring at charts.
Why This Matters for European Investors
Before this launch, European investors who wanted both traditional assets and crypto had to maintain separate platforms:
Before (the painful way):- IBKR for stocks, bonds, options, forex
- Coinbase/Kraken/OKX for crypto
- Spreadsheet to track combined portfolio
- Multiple tax reports to reconcile
- Funds split across platforms
- IBKR for everything
- One portfolio view
- One tax report
- Capital efficiency — cash isn't locked on a crypto exchange
What IBKR Crypto Can't Do (Yet)
Be realistic about the limitations:
Only 11 tokens: If you want to trade altcoins, DeFi tokens, or meme coins beyond DOGE, you still need a dedicated crypto exchange. OKX offers hundreds of tokens including perpetual futures. No staking: You can't stake your ETH, SOL, or ADA through IBKR. If staking rewards matter to you, consider holding staking-eligible tokens on a platform that supports it. No DeFi access: IBKR is a traditional brokerage. You can't connect to DeFi protocols, use DEXs, or interact with smart contracts from your IBKR account. For on-chain trading, check out Hyperliquid. No perpetual futures: IBKR offers spot crypto only (buy and hold). For leveraged crypto trading with perpetuals, you'll need OKX or Hyperliquid. No self-custody: Your crypto is held through Zerohash's infrastructure, not in a wallet you control. If "not your keys, not your coins" matters to you, IBKR crypto is more like a crypto ETF experience than self-sovereign ownership.The Smart Setup: IBKR + Crypto Exchange
For most serious European investors, the optimal setup combines IBKR with a dedicated crypto exchange:
Use IBKR for:- Blue-chip crypto allocation (BTC, ETH, SOL) as part of your investment portfolio
- Tax-efficient tracking alongside stocks and bonds
- Long-term holding with low fees
- Capital efficiency across asset classes
- Altcoin trading and DeFi exposure
- Perpetual futures and leverage
- Staking and earning yield
- Self-custody and on-chain activities
Frequently Asked Questions
Which EEA countries are eligible for IBKR crypto trading?
All 30 EEA member states: the 27 EU countries plus Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. Your account must be held with Interactive Brokers Ireland Limited.
Can I transfer crypto from Coinbase or OKX to my IBKR account?
Yes — since March 25, 2026, IBKR supports crypto portfolio transfers from external wallets. You can move BTC, ETH, SOL and other supported tokens without selling them first.
What are the minimum trade sizes for crypto on IBKR?
IBKR supports fractional crypto trading. You can buy as little as a few euros worth of Bitcoin — you don't need to buy a full coin.
Is my crypto insured on IBKR?
IBKR is regulated and your account has standard IBKR protections. However, crypto assets are not covered by traditional investor compensation schemes (like bank deposit insurance). The Zerohash partnership provides custody infrastructure, but crypto-specific insurance coverage varies. Check IBKR's latest disclosures for details.
Can I use crypto as margin collateral for stock trades?
As of launch, IBKR hasn't announced crypto-as-collateral functionality for EEA accounts. This may change — IBKR's US clients already have some cross-margining capabilities. If cross-margining is important to you, check out OKX's unified trading account where crypto collateral is already supported.
How are crypto gains taxed in the EEA?
Tax treatment varies by country. IBKR's PortfolioAnalyst and Tax Planner can help you generate reports for your tax advisor. Key advantage: crypto and stock gains appear in one report, simplifying your filing.
Will more tokens be added?
IBKR started with 11 and has historically expanded supported assets over time. No specific timeline has been announced, but given the regulatory framework through IB Ireland, adding more tokens is likely as MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation) provides clearer rules across the EU.
What's Next for IBKR Crypto in Europe
This launch is part of IBKR's broader crypto strategy:
- January 2026: USDC stablecoin account funding enabled
- March 25, 2026: Crypto portfolio transfers from external wallets launched
- March 31, 2026: EEA retail crypto trading goes live (this article)
- Upcoming: RLUSD (Ripple) and PYUSD (PayPal) stablecoin support announced
Getting Started
If you already have an IBKR account in the EEA:
1. Enable crypto trading permissions (5 minutes) 2. Fund your account if needed 3. Place your first tradeIf you don't have an IBKR account yet, the full signup process takes about 15 minutes, with approval typically within 1-2 business days. Our complete IBKR account setup guide covers every step.
For the full walkthrough on connecting IBKR with external crypto platforms, see our guides on crypto transfers, cheapest deposit networks, and fee comparisons.
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Ready to trade crypto on IBKR? Open an Interactive Brokers account to access crypto, stocks, options, and futures — all from one platform.---
*Interactive Brokers crypto trading is available to eligible individual investors in the EEA through Interactive Brokers Ireland Limited. Cryptocurrency trading involves significant risk. Past performance is not indicative of future results. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.*