Interactive Brokers enables 24/7 stablecoin funding by rolling out a new option that lets eligible clients fund their brokerage accounts using popular stablecoins such as USD Coin (USDC) around the clock including weekends and holidays with near-instant processing that slashes traditional funding delays and expands global access to capital markets.
The Greenwich, Connecticut-based brokerage (Nasdaq: IBKR) announced the availability of this always-on funding method on January 15, 2026, allowing clients to deposit stablecoins from their personal crypto wallets and begin trading across 170 global markets shortly after the transfer is initiated, a major step forward from conventional wire transfers that are constrained by banking hours and cross-border fees.
Always-On Funding for a Global Investor Base
Historically, brokerage account funding has been limited by the operating hours of banks, payment networks, and correspondent banking systems. Wire transfers often take one to three business days to process, while international deposits can be delayed even further due to time-zone differences, compliance checks, and intermediary fees.
Interactive Brokers’ new stablecoin funding option eliminates many of these obstacles by enabling continuous, always-on deposits. Clients can initiate transfers at any hour, regardless of geographic location or local banking schedules, and see their funds credited to their brokerage accounts within minutes.
This capability is especially valuable for international investors and active traders who need rapid access to capital in response to market volatility, earnings announcements, geopolitical developments, or sudden price movements.
How Stablecoin Funding Works at Interactive Brokers
Under the new funding mechanism, eligible clients can deposit USD Coin (USDC), a widely used stablecoin pegged 1:1 to the U.S. dollar, directly from their personal cryptocurrency wallets. The process is designed to be straightforward and secure, minimizing friction while maintaining regulatory safeguards.
The funding workflow includes the following steps:
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Clients initiate a transfer of USDC from their personal crypto wallet.
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The stablecoin is sent to a secure wallet infrastructure provided through Interactive Brokers’ collaboration with Zerohash, a regulated crypto infrastructure and settlement provider.
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Once received, the USDC is automatically converted into U.S. dollars.
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The converted funds are credited to the client’s brokerage account, typically within minutes.
After the deposit is completed, clients can immediately begin trading or investing across Interactive Brokers’ extensive range of asset classes, including equities, options, futures, forex, bonds, and funds across global markets.
Expanding Stablecoin Support Beyond USDC
While the initial rollout focuses on USD Coin, Interactive Brokers has confirmed plans to expand stablecoin support in the near future. Additional assets under consideration include Ripple USD (RLUSD) and PayPal USD (PYUSD), both of which are designed to provide dollar-backed stability while operating on blockchain networks.
By supporting multiple stablecoins, Interactive Brokers aims to give clients greater choice and flexibility while reducing dependency on any single digital asset ecosystem. This approach also aligns with the brokerage’s long-standing emphasis on offering broad market access and multiple funding options tailored to diverse client needs.
Key Advantages Over Traditional Funding Methods
The introduction of stablecoin funding addresses several long-standing inefficiencies associated with conventional brokerage deposits. Compared to bank wires and other fiat-based methods, stablecoins offer a range of practical benefits for investors.
Near-Instant Settlement
One of the most significant advantages is speed. Traditional wire transfers can take days to settle, particularly for cross-border transactions. In contrast, stablecoin transfers typically settle within minutes, enabling faster deployment of capital.
For active traders, this speed can be critical. Market opportunities often emerge and disappear quickly, and the ability to fund an account almost instantly can make a meaningful difference in execution and outcomes.
Reduced Friction and Lower Costs
Stablecoin funding also reduces transaction friction. While blockchain network fees and currency conversion costs may apply, many of the expenses associated with correspondent banking—such as intermediary fees and international transfer charges—are avoided.
Interactive Brokers itself does not charge deposit fees for stablecoin funding, further enhancing the cost efficiency of the option. This is particularly attractive for international clients who frequently face high fees when moving money across borders through traditional banking channels.
True 24/7 Availability
Unlike banks, which operate on limited schedules and close on weekends and holidays, blockchain networks function continuously. This allows clients to initiate deposits at any time, regardless of local business hours or public holidays.
For investors in different time zones or those trading global markets, this always-on availability removes a key logistical barrier and aligns account funding with the nonstop nature of modern financial markets.
Enhancing Global Market Access
Interactive Brokers has long positioned itself as a gateway to global markets, offering access to more than 170 exchanges and trading venues worldwide. The introduction of stablecoin funding further strengthens this positioning by making it easier for clients to move capital across borders.
International investors often face delays when funding brokerage accounts due to currency conversions, regulatory checks, and cross-border banking processes. Stablecoins help streamline this experience by providing a digital, dollar-pegged medium of exchange that can move quickly and efficiently across jurisdictions.
As a result, investors gain faster access to U.S. and international markets without being constrained by local banking infrastructure or time-zone differences.
Bridging Traditional Finance and Blockchain Infrastructure
By integrating stablecoin funding into its platform, Interactive Brokers is effectively bridging the gap between traditional brokerage services and blockchain-based settlement systems. This hybrid approach allows clients to benefit from the efficiency of digital assets while continuing to trade within a regulated, mainstream brokerage environment.
The collaboration with Zerohash plays a key role in this strategy, providing the secure custody, compliance, and conversion infrastructure needed to support stablecoin transactions at institutional scale. This ensures that the funding process adheres to regulatory requirements while maintaining the speed and flexibility associated with blockchain technology.
Why This Matters for Modern Investors
The introduction of 24/7 stablecoin funding reflects broader changes in how investors expect to interact with financial platforms. As digital-native users become a larger share of the investor base, demand is growing for funding options that match the speed and accessibility of modern technology.
For these investors, waiting days for a wire transfer to clear feels increasingly outdated. Stablecoins offer a more seamless experience, enabling users to move funds quickly and respond to market conditions in real time.
At the same time, more traditional investors are also recognizing the practical benefits of stablecoins—not as speculative assets, but as efficient tools for payments and settlement.
Supporting Market Responsiveness and Opportunity
Markets are increasingly influenced by global events that unfold outside standard banking hours. Earnings announcements, geopolitical developments, and macroeconomic data releases can trigger significant price movements at any time.
With stablecoin funding, Interactive Brokers clients can react to these events without waiting for banks to reopen. This enhanced responsiveness supports more agile trading strategies and reduces the opportunity cost associated with delayed funding.
Eligibility and Getting Started
The stablecoin funding feature is available to eligible Interactive Brokers LLC clients, subject to regulatory and account requirements. Clients interested in using the service can visit Interactive Brokers’ stablecoin funding page to review eligibility criteria, supported wallets, and step-by-step instructions.
As adoption grows and additional stablecoins are supported, the brokerage is expected to refine and expand the offering, potentially opening the door to even more digital asset–based funding options in the future.
A Strategic Move in a Changing Financial Landscape
Interactive Brokers’ decision to enable 24/7 stablecoin funding underscores the brokerage’s broader strategy of embracing innovation while maintaining a strong focus on cost efficiency, market access, and client control.
Rather than positioning stablecoins as an investment product, the firm is using them as a settlement and funding tool, demonstrating a practical and measured approach to blockchain adoption. This strategy aligns with the needs of both sophisticated traders and long-term investors who value speed, transparency, and flexibility.
Looking Ahead
As blockchain technology continues to mature, stablecoins are increasingly being viewed as a foundational component of modern financial infrastructure. Interactive Brokers’ move to integrate stablecoin funding places it at the forefront of this transition among global brokerages.
By offering near-instant, always-on funding, the firm is reducing friction, expanding access, and aligning its services with the realities of a global, digital-first investment environment.
For investors seeking faster, more efficient ways to move capital into the markets, Interactive Brokers’ stablecoin funding initiative represents a meaningful step forward—one that redefines what account funding can look like in the era of digital finance.
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