Interactive Brokers Eyes Stablecoin for $486B Market Pivot

• Explores stablecoin creation to bolster crypto strategies.
• Aim: Instant account funding and streamlined asset transfers.

On June 28, 2025, Reuters reported that Interactive Brokers is exploring the launch of a stablecoin to complement its $486 billion brokerage business amid growing client interest and evolving U.S. crypto regulations. This initiative is part of the firm’s broader strategy to expand its digital asset capabilities.

Thomas Peterffy, the founder of Interactive Brokers, shared that the company is evaluating ways to integrate stablecoins into its platform. However, the company has not finalized a definitive plan. The proposed stablecoin could facilitate instant, 24/7 funding for brokerage accounts and streamline transfers of assets like U.S. government securities. Alternatively, the firm may allow clients to fund their accounts using stablecoins issued by reputable financial institutions. Currently, Interactive Brokers supports cryptocurrency trading through partnerships with Paxos and a stake in digital asset settlement firm Zero Hash.

This move into stablecoins underscores Interactive Brokers’ larger push toward financial innovation. In 2023, the firm unveiled IBKR EventTrader, a CFTC-regulated prediction market platform enabling clients to trade on global event outcomes. By May 2025, the firm extended trading hours for its event contracts to nearly 24/5 availability. As of May 2025, Interactive Brokers reported 2.86 million client accounts, a 23% year-over-year increase.

While venturing into crypto and financial technology, Peterffy maintains a cautious view of cryptocurrencies. He questioned their intrinsic value and suggested clients limit crypto asset holdings to 1-2% of their portfolios. In December 2021, he warned that Bitcoin could go to zero and expressed concerns about market mania.

In a June 29, 2025 research note, Morningstar analysts remarked on Interactive Brokers’ diversification. They noted that the firm's moves into crypto and prediction platforms could buffer it against volatility in its traditional equity, futures, and derivatives businesses. This strategy contributed to a 27% surge in the company’s stock price in 2025, far outpacing the S&P 500 Banks index.

As of June 28, 2025, 15:00 UTC, the broader crypto market shows growth momentum. According to CoinMarketCap, Ethereum (ETH) trades at $3,410, down 0.5% in the last 24 hours. Meanwhile, Bitcoin (BTC) stands at $61,500, with a 1.2% rise over the same period.