Interactive Brokers (IBKR) has integrated 24/7 USDC deposits for eligible clients, bridging a critical gap between always-on crypto markets and traditional banking hours. The electronic broker, which manages over $170 billion in client equity, partnered with infrastructure provider Zero Hash to enable the feature.
The Mechanism
Effective immediately, clients can fund brokerage accounts using USDC on Solana, Base, and Ethereum. While domestic wire transfers remain subject to banking holidays and cut-off times, these blockchain rails function continuously. Deposits convert automatically to USD upon receipt.
The integration targets international investors specifically, who often face multi-day delays moving capital into U.S. markets. CEO Milan Galik noted the move addresses the “speed and flexibility required in today’s markets.”
The Fine Print: Fees & Expansion
While Interactive Brokers charges no deposit fee, the convenience carries a cost. Zero Hash applies a 0.30% conversion fee (minimum $1.00) per transaction. For a $10,000 deposit, this amounts to a $30 haircut, a premium over standard wire transfers that users must weigh against the speed benefit.
The brokerage confirmed it will expand support to Ripple’s RLUSD and PayPal’s PYUSD as early as next week, signaling a broader commitment to regulated stablecoin rails.
Market Context
Solana (SOL), trading at $142 (-2%), continues to solidify its position as a preferred execution layer for institutional pilots due to lower throughput costs compared to Ethereum mainnet. The addition of Base reflects the growing dominance of Coinbase’s L2 in consumer-facing applications.
