Interactive Brokers Explores Launching Proprietary Stablecoin
By: Eliza Bennet
Interactive Brokers, one of the world's premier brokerage firms, is actively exploring the launch of a stablecoin to enhance its service offering to customers. The potential new addition would place Interactive Brokers among a growing list of traditional financial institutions entering the crypto sphere, including notable names like JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup. These plans come amid the company's strategy to expand its crypto service offerings, following a reported increase in customer accounts and assets under management.
The brokerage firm, valued at approximately $110 billion, is considering a stablecoin issuance to allow customers to fund their brokerage accounts using cryptocurrencies pegged to fiat currencies. Founder Thomas Peterffy has confirmed that the firm is in the development phase, though the project's final structure and launch are still pending a decision. Meanwhile, Interactive Brokers is setting up around-the-clock stablecoin funding and support for some commonly traded cryptocurrencies in a bid to modernize its service delivery. This initiative follows the release of ForecastEx, a prediction market allowing speculative investments, which the firm sees as a hedge against disruptions in traditional securities and crypto markets.
Interactive Brokers has partnered with reputable crypto entities such as Paxos and Zero Hash to facilitate crypto trading. However, the company remains cautious about cryptocurrencies' intrinsic value, with Peterffy expressing measured skepticism despite rising client demand. The launch of a stablecoin would aim at integrating traditional brokerage services with stablecoin infrastructures, similar to rival firm Robinhood's Global Dollar Network, which relies on a dollar-pegged stablecoin from Paxos for transactions.
As of the end of the second quarter of 2025, Interactive Brokers reported more than 3.8 million active accounts and holds over $664 billion in assets, marking a significant growth from the previous year. Its shares have also shown impressive performance, outpacing sector indices. With the stablecoin venture and ongoing strategic investments, the firm is positioning itself to adapt to the changing financial landscape by offering more versatile financial instruments.
