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Interactive Brokers

Interactive Brokers is a global brokerage firm established in 1978, headquartered in the United States. It is one of the oldest and most established brokers in the industry, known for its extensive range of tradable instruments and advanced trading platforms.

The broker offers access to a wide variety of markets, including indices, commodities, gold, oil, crypto CFDs, real cryptocurrencies, stocks, and ETFs. With 100 forex pairs available, it caters to both forex traders and multi-asset investors. Interactive Brokers provides its proprietary platform and integrates with TradingView, ensuring flexibility for different trading styles.

3.3/5
Overall Score
Visit Interactive Brokers
1978
Founded
USA
Headquarters
$0
Min Deposit
1:1
Max Leverage
100
Forex Pairs

About Interactive Brokers

What Is Interactive Brokers?

Interactive Brokers is a global brokerage firm established in 1978, headquartered in the United States. It is one of the oldest and most established brokers in the industry, known for its extensive range of tradable instruments and advanced trading platforms.

The broker offers access to a wide variety of markets, including indices, commodities, gold, oil, crypto CFDs, real cryptocurrencies, stocks, and ETFs. With 100 forex pairs available, it caters to both forex traders and multi-asset investors. Interactive Brokers provides its proprietary platform and integrates with TradingView, ensuring flexibility for different trading styles.

Who Is Interactive Brokers Best For?

Interactive Brokers is best suited for experienced traders and investors who require access to a broad range of asset classes and global markets. Its low minimum deposit of $0 and multiple account types make it accessible, but the maximum leverage of 1:1 (likely for certain products or regions) may not appeal to high-leverage forex traders.

  • Multi-asset investors seeking stocks, ETFs, and commodities in one account
  • Forex traders who prefer a wide selection of 100 currency pairs
  • Users of TradingView or those comfortable with professional-grade proprietary platforms
  • Traders who value regulatory oversight from multiple top-tier authorities

The broker is a weaker fit for those seeking copy trading or micro accounts, as these are not offered. Also, traders who require high leverage may be disappointed by the 1:1 maximum leverage.

Is Interactive Brokers Safe and Regulated?

Interactive Brokers is regulated by several major financial authorities, including the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC), the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) in Hong Kong, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), and the US Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). This multi-regulation provides a high level of oversight across different jurisdictions.

For client safety, Interactive Brokers maintains segregated client funds and offers negative balance protection. This means client money is kept separate from company funds, and traders cannot lose more than their account balance, adding a layer of security.

Primary regulator
All licenses heldFINRA,FCA,IIROC,ASIC,SFC,MAS
Segregated client fundsYes
Negative balance protectionYes

Trading with Interactive Brokers

Account Types

Standard AccountECN AccountIslamic (swap-free)Demo AccountPAMM AccountMicro AccountCopy Trading

Trading Platforms

MetaTrader 4MetaTrader 5cTraderTradingViewProprietary Platform

Markets You Can Trade

100 Forex PairsIndicesCommoditiesGold & OilCrypto CFDsReal CryptoStocks & ETFs

Fees and Costs Explained

Interactive Brokers does not specify exact spread or commission figures, but it offers a transparent cost structure. The broker supports a $0 minimum deposit, making it easy to start. Deposit methods include bank wires, Wise transfers, and ACH/SEPA/local electronic transfers, offering flexibility for international clients.

Withdrawal times are generally 1 to 4 business days. Interactive Brokers allows one to two free withdrawal requests per calendar month depending on the specific account type or platform structure, after which standard flat fees apply per transaction. This fee schedule is competitive for active traders but may affect those making frequent small withdrawals.

Deposits and withdrawals

Deposit methodsBank Wires, Wise transfers, and ACH/SEPA/Local electronic transfers
Withdrawal time1 to 4 business days
Withdrawal feesInteractive Brokers allows one to two free withdrawal requests per calendar month depending on the specific account type or platform structure, after which standard flat fees apply per transaction.
Inactivity feeNone charged

Trust and verdict

Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Regulated by multiple top-tier authorities including FCA, ASIC, and IIROC
  • Segregated client funds and negative balance protection for enhanced safety
  • Access to 100 forex pairs plus a broad range of instruments (stocks, ETFs, commodities, crypto)
  • $0 minimum deposit lowers the barrier to entry
  • Integration with TradingView and a proprietary platform
  • Supports hedging and offers demo accounts
Cons
  • Maximum leverage is capped at 1:1, which is very low for forex traders
  • No copy trading or micro accounts offered
  • Withdrawal fees apply after one or two free requests per month
  • Scalping and EA/algo trading policies not specified, which may concern automated traders

Trust Signals

5,300
Trustpilot reviews
active
Trustpilot status
48 yrs
Operating since 1978

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Interactive Brokers regulated?

Yes, Interactive Brokers is regulated by multiple major financial authorities, including FINRA (US), FCA (UK), IIROC (Canada), ASIC (Australia), SFC (Hong Kong), and MAS (Singapore). This multi-regulation provides strong oversight across various global jurisdictions.

What is the minimum deposit for Interactive Brokers?

Interactive Brokers has a minimum deposit of $0. This means you can open an account without making an initial deposit, though you will need to fund your account to start trading.

Does Interactive Brokers offer an Islamic account?

The fact sheet does not specify whether Interactive Brokers offers Islamic accounts. It is recommended to contact their customer support directly for information on swap-free or Sharia-compliant account options.

What trading platforms does Interactive Brokers support?

Interactive Brokers offers its proprietary trading platform and also integrates with TradingView. This gives traders a choice between a professional, feature-rich platform and a popular charting platform.

What is the maximum leverage at Interactive Brokers?

The maximum leverage at Interactive Brokers is 1:1. This is notably low and may not suit traders seeking high leverage for forex or CFD trading.

Verdict

Interactive Brokers is a well-regulated, multi-asset broker with a long history and a strong reputation for safety. Its wide range of instruments and platform choices make it ideal for serious investors and traders who prioritize regulatory security and market access over high leverage. However, the 1:1 maximum leverage and lack of copy trading or micro accounts mean it is not suited for high-leverage forex scalpers or beginners looking for simplified social trading features.

Interactive Brokers Features
RegulationFINRA,FCA,IIROC,ASIC,SFC,MAS
Min Deposit$0
Max Leverage1:1
Founded1978
Islamic AccountNo
Copy TradingNo
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Risk warning: CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage.
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