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Tanzeel Akhtar
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Global electronic brokerage Interactive Brokers has begun allowing U.S. retail clients to fund individual brokerage accounts with stablecoins, allowing customers to transfer funds directly from personal crypto wallets.
The feature, powered by crypto infrastructure provider Zerohash, marks a major expansion of the firm’s digital-asset capabilities. The rollout will occur in phases, with availability determined by account type, jurisdiction, and regulatory requirements.
In addition to the U.S. pilot, Interactive Brokers said it has also started offering stablecoin deposits to a wider group of global users, allowing transfers in USDC that are automatically converted to U.S. dollars upon arrival.
The company said the move gives traders faster and more flexible funding options, particularly compared to traditional banking rails that are limited by clearing times and operating hours.
How USDC Funding Works
To deposit via stablecoin, clients must log into the Interactive Brokers Client Portal, go to Transfer & Pay, select Deposit Funds, and choose “Fund with Stablecoin.” Users then select a blockchain network—such as Ethereum, Solana, or Base—and Zerohash generates a unique wallet address and QR code for the transaction.
Clients must send USDC from their personal crypto wallets to the provided address, ensuring that the selected blockchain network matches the one chosen during the deposit setup. Interactive Brokers strongly advises against manually typing wallet addresses due to the risk of irreversible errors.
Transaction Limits, Fees, and Supported Assets
Stablecoin deposits come with several constraints: a $10 minimum per transfer, a $25,000 per-transaction cap, a $25,000 daily limit, and a monthly ceiling of $100,000. At present, only USDC is supported; deposits in other stablecoins or cryptocurrencies will not be processed.
Interactive Brokers said it does not charge deposit fees, though users must cover blockchain gas fees associated with the chosen network. Zerohash applies a 0.3% conversion fee, with a $1 minimum. Most deposits are credited within minutes following blockchain confirmation, offering speed advantages over ACH or wire transfers.
Interactive Brokers cautions that USDC must be sent on the exact blockchain network selected during setup. Sending assets via the wrong network or to an incorrect wallet address may result in rejection, delays, or permanent loss of funds. Users encountering issues are directed to the firm’s stablecoin deposit FAQ for troubleshooting.
Step Toward 24/7 Bank-Free Funding?
By allowing deposits directly from crypto wallets, Interactive Brokers is moving toward a funding model that is faster, continuously available, and less dependent on banking intermediaries.
The phased U.S. rollout shows growing institutional acceptance of stablecoins as a practical settlement tool, particularly for active traders seeking real-time funding flexibility.
Coinbase Predicts Stablecoins Will Enter the Mainstream
Stablecoins are set to move firmly into the financial mainstream next year, according to Keith Grose, UK CEO of Coinbase, who expects continued acceleration in consumer adoption and regulatory clarity.
Speaking ahead of expected policy developments in the UK, Grose outlines why he believes stablecoins are becoming a central pillar of the next phase of digital finance.
“We see stablecoins transitioning into mainstream payment rails in the UK and worldwide in 2026,” Grose said. “More consumers are now using stablecoins for seamless everyday payments, without needing to change how they transact.”
He added that global investors are increasingly turning to digital-currency alternatives to diversify away from traditional dollar-denominated instruments.
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