Looking for an advanced, low-cost share broker with strong regulations?
Interactive Brokers is topping Google search for a reason. This multi-regulated broker penetrated various financial markets due to its solid reputation for providing affordable yet comprehensive access to different trading instruments.
Wanna understand the nitty-gritty details behind the popularity of Interactive Brokers? In this full 2025 Interactive Brokers review, you’ll walk through its regulatory landscape, advanced platform features, on-the-go-friendly app, and minimum deposit.
Read on to learn more.
Who are the Interactive Brokers? Introducing the CEO and Organization
Interactive Brokers LLC (IB) is a digital trading platform pioneered by Thomas Peterffy, who chairs the company, and was founded in 1993.
As of 2025, the newly appointed CEO of Interactive Brokers Group (IBKR) is Milan Galik.
Did you know that Interactive Brokers is the largest electronic trading platform in the United States?
The company offers a range of investment products, including forex, stocks, options, futures, currencies, bonds, and funds.
They have also expanded into cryptocurrency trading, offering access to the emerging yet extremely lucrative asset class.
Why is Interactive Brokers Popular?
Interactive Brokers is one of the well-known brokers, as its reviews are not tarnished. It’s a globally competitive market, and Interactive Brokers in South Africa may still be building trust through reviews.
To put it simply, Interactive Brokers are regulated. It offers a minimum deposit and can be opened with various options.
Is Interactive Brokers Regulated? Closer Look at Its License and Regulations
When choosing a broker, it’s normal to ask: Is Interactive Brokers a scam? The answer is no—it’s one of the most highly regulated brokers globally.
Interactive Brokers is licensed in multiple countries:
| Country/Region | Regulatory Authority |
| United States | Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). |
| United Kingdom | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). |
| European Union | Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID). |
| Canada | Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF). |
| Australia | Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). |
| South Africa | Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA). |
| Hong Kong | Securities and Futures Commission (SFC). |
| Japan | Japan Financial Services Agency (JFSA). |
Interactive Brokers is regulated in multiple countries and adheres to strict compliance standards, maintaining segregated client funds and implementing robust protection schemes.
While this adds credibility, traders should still consider factors like platform complexity and fees. It’s not a scam, but careful review is recommended.
With all the needed consideration, what’s the smartest move? It’s by joining a trading community like CommuniTrade. It’s like having a cheat code to avoid rookie mistakes and save your hard-earned cash from getting burned.
Exploring the Interactive Brokers Platform Features
Interactive Brokers strong edge on regulations makes you want to crave more information, right? In this section, we’ll walk you through every feature for you to gauge if this promising broker resonates with you.
Minimum Deposits and Withdrawal Methods?
One of the strongest advantages of Interactive Brokers is its minimum charges. It also offers a wide range of accounts with 27-based currencies. This means you don’t have to convert your cash into USD just to trade.
Interactive broker’s minimum deposit is $0. Meanwhile, the minimum daily withdrawal is $50,000.
Interactive brokers withdrawal fee is also worth it. They offer a free withdrawal each month.
However, the con of Interactive Brokers is its limitation on its withdrawal methods since it only allows bank transfers. This process takes several business days to complete.
Like any law-abiding broker, this broker only allows deposits from accounts that are in your name.
Account Opening
Opening an Interactive Brokers account is fully online and takes around two business days. You’ll need to submit personal info, an ID, and proof of residency.
There is no fixed minimum deposit, but it may vary by country; therefore, South African users should check the local terms.
Once verified, your login gives access to the app or desktop. New traders may prefer a cash account to avoid margin risks and inactivity issues.
Mobile App
The Interactive Brokers app, namely IBKR GlobalTrader, is user-friendly and ideal for beginners. It offers biometric login, real-time charts, and smooth trade execution.
Some advanced features, such as order types and price alerts, are missing, but it remains a reliable option for basic mobile trading.
Desktop Platform
IBKR Desktop provides a well-balanced blend of usability and features for active traders. It supports advanced charting, custom tools, and various order types, including conditional and algorithmic orders.
However, it may lack some of the advanced tools found in the Trader Workstation.
Customer Support
Interactive Brokers offers 24-hour support from Monday to Friday, with added Sunday chat access. Support is available through phone, email, and live chat.
What are the Pros and Cons of Interactive Brokers?
Interactive brokers might offer a wide range of benefits, hence it’s still crucial to weigh into their strong and weak points.
Pros:
- Low trading fees and competitive margin rates.
- Access to a broad range of global markets and investment products.
- Advanced trading platforms suitable for experienced traders.
Cons:
- The platform can be complex for beginners.
- Customer support may have delayed response times.
- Some advanced features are only available on specific platforms.
Interactive Brokers FAQ
Can you trade Bitcoin on interactive brokers?
Yes, Interactive Brokers allows trading of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, through partnerships with Paxos and Zero Hash. They offer low commission rates ranging from 0.12% to 0.18% of the trade value.
How do you withdraw money from interactive brokers?
To withdraw funds, log in to your account, navigate to ‘Transfer & Pay,’ then click ‘Transfer Funds,’ and select ‘Make a Withdrawal’. Follow the prompts to complete your withdrawal request.
Conclusion: Is Interactive Brokers a Worthy Broker?
Interactive Brokers stands out for its low fees, wide range of products, and powerful trading platforms, making it ideal for experienced traders.
Beginners may find it somewhat complex, and customer support can be inconsistent.
Overall, it’s a solid choice if you want a comprehensive and cost-effective trading experience.
If you are not convinced enough, you should consider joining a trading community for real insight from experienced traders.
CommuniTrade is one of the credible trading communities where you collaborate with your fellow trading enthusiasts. It’s like having a safety net packed with guidance, trading lessons, and advice that can help you trade smarter and avoid costly mistakes.
