Interactive Brokers Announces 24/7 Stablecoin Funding
In a significant update for digital trading, Interactive Brokers has announced that from January 15, 2026, it will allow eligible customers to fund their brokerage accounts around the clock using stablecoins. This new service, utilizing USD Coin (USDC) for the time being, aims to provide investors with a faster and more cost-effective alternative to traditional bank wire transactions, which typically suffer from lengthy processing times and high fees.
Expansion of Stablecoin Options
The company plans to expand the service soon to include additional stablecoins such as RLUSD and PayPal USD, anticipated to be available in the week of January 19, 2026. By deploying technology from ZeroHash, Interactive Brokers enables the swift conversion of stablecoins into U.S. dollars within minutes, facilitating immediate access to over 170 markets at any time, including weekends and holidays.
Addressing International Client Needs
This advancement addresses a common pain point for international clients, who often experience delays and incurring costs associated with traditional cross-border money transfers. Typically, such wires can take between one to three business days to settle and can attract fees ranging from $25 to $50. In contrast, the new stablecoin system allows for near-instantaneous capital deployment, irrespective of banking hours.
Transaction Processing and Fees
ZeroHash processes transactions over several blockchain networks, including Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), and Base (BASE). While Interactive Brokers has decided against charging deposit fees for its clients, ZeroHash will apply a nominal conversion fee of 0.30% with a minimum charge of $1 when converting stablecoins into USD.
CEO’s Vision for the Future
Milan Galik, CEO of Interactive Brokers, emphasized that the primary aim of this initiative is to enhance the efficiency and adaptability of trading operations in the current fast-paced market environment.
This development marks another step in Interactive Brokers’ ongoing integration of digital asset infrastructure, reinforcing their commitment to providing innovative solutions that align with the dynamic nature of global financial markets, which are now accessible to clients around the clock.
