Crypto Trading Now Live for European Clients
Interactive Brokers has officially launched crypto trading for retail investors across the European Economic Area (EEA), marking another major step in the mainstream adoption of digital assets.
Eligible clients can now buy and sell cryptocurrencies directly within their existing brokerage accounts, eliminating the need for separate crypto platforms.
The rollout is handled through the company’s Ireland-based entity, which operates as an authorized crypto-asset service provider in the region.
Trade Crypto Alongside Stocks and ETFs
The key upgrade is integration. Investors can now trade crypto side-by-side with traditional assets like stocks, options, and ETFs in one unified account.
The platform supports 11 cryptocurrencies, including major assets such as:
- Bitcoin
- Ethereum
- Solana
- XRP
- Cardano
- Dogecoin
With 24/7 trading access and commissions starting between 0.12% and 0.18%, the offering is designed to compete with dedicated crypto exchanges.
Behind the scenes, Zerohash provides the trading and custody infrastructure, enabling seamless execution and asset management.
Still Early Days for Crypto Revenue
Despite the expansion, crypto remains a small part of Interactive Brokers’ business-for now. CEO Milan Galik previously noted that crypto revenues are still “small relative to the overall company’s revenues.”
However, the firm expects growth as adoption increases, particularly in Europe where demand for regulated crypto access is rising.
The company also plans to enable crypto asset transfers in the future, allowing users to move assets onto the platform and take advantage of its pricing structure.
Traditional Finance Accelerates Into Crypto
Interactive Brokers is far from alone. Major financial institutions are rapidly expanding into crypto as client demand continues to grow.
For example, Fidelity Investments already offers:
- Direct crypto trading
- Crypto exposure through funds
- Digital asset holdings in retirement accounts
It has even launched its own stablecoin, Fidelity Digital Dollar (FIDD), signaling deeper involvement in tokenized finance.
Wall Street Giants Follow the Trend
Other major players are also moving fast.
Charles Schwab has signaled plans to launch spot Bitcoin trading, potentially as soon as 2026.
Meanwhile, Morgan Stanley is preparing to roll out a digital asset wallet and expand crypto trading through its E*TRADE platform.
The firm has even suggested allocations of up to 4% in crypto for high-growth portfolios, highlighting a shift in how traditional finance views digital assets.
A Turning Point for Retail Access
The integration of crypto into traditional brokerage platforms marks a major turning point. Instead of navigating multiple apps and exchanges, investors can now manage all their assets in one place.
This simplifies onboarding for new users and provides greater trust and regulatory clarity, especially in regions like Europe.
Crypto Goes Fully Mainstream
The expansion by Interactive Brokers reinforces a clear trend: crypto is no longer niche-it’s becoming part of standard investing infrastructure.
As more brokerages, banks, and asset managers enter the space, the line between traditional finance and crypto continues to blur.
And for retail investors, that means easier access, more options-and a lot more competition.
