RegulationSEC, CFTC, FINRA, FCA, CBI
Min. deposit$0
Leverage1:1 – 1:50
PlatformsTrader Workstation, IBKR, API
InstrumentsStocks, options, futures, forex
Founded1978
🏛️ Which entity will open your account?
📍 Pick your country above and we'll tell you exactly which entity opens your account at Interactive Brokers.
How is this decided and how do I verify it? →Regulation by region
The entity you sign with — and your protection — changes depending on where you live.
United Kingdom
FCA with FSCSSTP
Interactive Brokers (U.K.) Ltd (FRN 208159) — FSCS £85,000European Union
Central Bank of Ireland with ICSSTP
Interactive Brokers Ireland Ltd (C423427) — ICS €20,000United States
SEC/FINRA with SIPCSTP
Interactive Brokers LLC (CRD 36418) — SIPC $500k (incl. $250k cash)Australia
ASIC no compensationSTP
Interactive Brokers Australia Pty Ltd (AFSL 453554) — no compensation schemeRest of the world
Tier-1 multi-jurisdictionSTP
Regulated by MAS, SFC, SEBI, JFSA, CIRO (Canada CIPF)All licenses
Every regulator where the group holds a license, with its execution model. The entity that applies to you depends on your country (see above).
Account types
IBKR Proactive traders; tiered or fixed commissions; SmartRouting (best execution, no PFOF); TWS (no native MT4/MT5)
IBKR LiteUSA residents; US stocks/ETFs with no commission, no minimum
Pros
✓Top-tier regulation
✓Smooth withdrawals
✓Funds with compensation scheme
✓Transparent operation
✓Good reputation
✓Competitive costs
Cons
✗No MT4/MT5 (not usable for EAs)
Breakdown by axis
The total score (out of 100) is the sum of the 7 axes, with the same yardstick for everyone. Below each one, the rationale with its source.
Regulation: Top tier22/22 pts
Why: SEC + CFTC + FINRA + NFA (USA) + FCA 208159 (UK) + Central Bank of Ireland + ASIC + SFC + MAS. Listed on NASDAQ (IBKR). The multi-regulated gold standard
Withdrawals / payments: Clean20/20 pts
Why: clean: processes same day, honors withdrawals; the friction is procedural (AML), not systemic blocking
Fund safety: Full (with compensation)15/15 pts
Why: segregated + SIPC $500k + Lloyd's excess up to $30M/client (USA) + FSCS GBP85k (UK) + EU ICF + negative balance
Transparency: Clear10/10 pts
Why: listed on NASDAQ, transparent; AML fine $38M (2020, historical), nothing comparable since
Reputation: Strong10/10 pts
Why: founded 1978, listed since 2007; the institutional-grade broker for retail
Costs: Competitive8/8 pts
Why: low-cost agency model: EURUSD ~0.1 pip + ~$2/side (the cheapest)
Sources
Don't take our word for it — check it yourself. These are the official registries and legal pages we relied on.
🔗 FINRA BrokerCheck — Interactive Brokers LLC (CRD 36418)🔗 Central Bank of Ireland — IBKR Ireland (C423427)🔗 MAS — IBKR Singapore (CMS100917)🔗 IBKR — investor protection and disclosuresTrader reviews
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