Interactive Brokers launches USDC 24/7 deposit and trading! Next week, RLUSD and PYUSD stablecoins will be added.

Interactive Brokers announces support for 24/7 USDC deposits via Circle, enabling round-the-clock trading. This feature is powered by Zerohash, allowing users to send USDC from networks like Ethereum to a secure wallet, which will automatically convert the tokens into USD and deposit into their account. CEO Milan Galic stated that RLUSD and PYUSD options are planned to be added next week.

Interactive Brokers’ 24/7 Deposit Innovation Transforms Traditional Wire Transfers

As a leading company in the traditional brokerage sector, Interactive Brokers (NASDAQ: IBKR) now allows traders to fund their accounts with Circle’s USDC around the clock. This unlocks a key new feature: 24/7 trading. According to a statement released on Thursday, stablecoins are a faster, cheaper, and globally accessible alternative to traditional payment methods like wire transfers.

The pain point of traditional wire transfers lies in time restrictions. Banks typically operate from 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday, with weekends and holidays completely shut down. For global investors, this means that when Asian markets open, US investors may not be able to deposit funds in time; during US market volatility, European investors might miss opportunities due to time zone differences. Interactive Brokers’ USDC deposit feature breaks this limitation, supporting trading outside of local business hours — “something traditional wire transfers cannot achieve.”

“Stablecoin financing provides international investors with the speed and flexibility needed in today’s markets,” said Milan Galic, CEO of Interactive Brokers, in a statement. “Clients can transfer funds and start trading within minutes, while also reducing transaction costs.” This speed advantage is especially critical during market volatility. Traditional wire transfers typically take 1 to 3 business days to arrive, whereas USDC deposits can be completed in minutes, making the difference between seizing opportunities and missing them.

Cost advantages are also significant. International wire transfers usually incur fixed fees of $25 to $50, plus a 1% to 3% exchange rate spread. In contrast, Interactive Brokers’ USDC deposits only charge a 0.30% conversion fee, with a minimum of $1, plus standard blockchain transaction fees (Ethereum, Solana, or Base network gas fees typically range from $1 to $5). For large deposits, the cost savings are even more pronounced.

Zerohash Technology Support and Public Chain Selection

This integration is supported by Zerohash, a B2B infrastructure provider for cryptocurrencies and stablecoins. According to Bloomberg, Interactive Brokers first allowed retail investors to fund their personal brokerage accounts with USDC in December last year. Zerohash is a company invested in by Interactive Brokers, focusing on providing infrastructure solutions for financial institutions in crypto and stablecoins. Reports indicate that Mastercard once discussed acquiring Zerohash for up to $2 billion, but negotiations are currently uncertain, highlighting the company’s strategic value in fintech.

Users can send USDC from their personal crypto wallets to Zerohash’s “secure wallet” on Ethereum, Solana, or Base (initially supported networks). Once the tokens arrive, they are “automatically exchanged into USD and credited to the client’s brokerage account.” The choice of three major chains offers users flexibility:

Comparison of the Three Major Blockchain Networks

Ethereum: The most secure and liquid network, suitable for large transfers, but with relatively high gas fees (usually $5 to $20).

Solana: High-speed, low-cost network, with transaction confirmation times of just a few seconds, and gas fees typically below $0.01, ideal for small, frequent deposits.

Base: A Layer-2 network launched by the largest compliant US crypto exchange, balancing Ethereum’s security with low-cost advantages, with gas fees usually between $0.1 and $1.

This multi-chain support demonstrates Interactive Brokers’ focus on user experience. Different users may hold USDC on different chains; multi-chain support avoids the hassle of cross-chain transfers. Additionally, users can choose the most economical chain based on current network congestion and gas fee levels for deposits.

Supported by Interactive Brokers, Zerohash will charge a low 0.30% conversion fee on each deposit, with a minimum of $1, plus standard blockchain transaction fees. This transparent fee structure allows users to precisely calculate deposit costs. For example, depositing $10,000 USDC with a 30 USD conversion fee, plus blockchain gas fees (assuming Solana at about $0.01), totals around $30, significantly lower than typical international wire transfer fees.

Expansion to RLUSD and PYUSD Next Week

Interactive Brokers plans to add more stablecoin options as early as next week, including Ripple’s RLUSD and PayPal’s PYUSD. This rapid expansion underscores IBKR’s strategic focus on stablecoin deposit services. RLUSD is Ripple’s USD stablecoin aimed at cross-border payments and institutional applications. PYUSD is PayPal’s stablecoin with a large user base and payment scenarios.

Supporting multiple stablecoins offers users more choices. Different stablecoins may be more accessible on various platforms or regions, or have specific use-case advantages. For example, users holding PYUSD might have accumulated tokens through PayPal’s ecosystem, while RLUSD holders might participate in Ripple’s ecosystem. IBKR’s multi-coin support eliminates the need for users to convert stablecoins to USDC first, further reducing barriers and costs.

Last year, Reuters reported that Interactive Brokers was considering launching its own native stablecoin. While no further details are available, this indicates IBKR’s long-term strategic positioning in the stablecoin space. If they launch their own stablecoin, it could further reduce deposit costs and enable tighter ecosystem integration.

IBKR’s Cryptocurrency Strategy Overview

Founded in 1978, Interactive Brokers is renowned for low fees and highly competitive electronic brokerage and trading platforms. In late 2021, the company first launched crypto trading and custody services, supporting four assets—BTC, ETH, LTC, and BCH—via a partnership with Paxos. Last year, the support expanded to include SOL, ADA, XRP, and DOGE.

This gradual crypto strategy reflects IBKR’s cautious and pragmatic approach. Unlike many aggressive native crypto platforms, IBKR, as a regulated traditional broker, must balance innovation with compliance. From the initial launch of four cryptocurrencies in 2021 to eight in 2024, and the addition of stablecoin deposit services in 2025, this step-by-step approach ensures service stability and regulatory adherence.

The launch of USDC deposit services marks IBKR’s evolution from “offering crypto trading” to “integrating crypto into traditional financial infrastructure.” It’s not just adding an asset class but leveraging crypto technology to improve the efficiency and accessibility of traditional financial services. This fusion exemplifies the integration of TradFi and DeFi.

For IBKR clients, this upgrade means enjoying the best of both worlds: the regulatory protections of a traditional broker and the speed and global reach of crypto. This combination could become a standard model for future financial services.