Interactive Brokers crypto expansion adds nano Bitcoin and Ether futures with 24/7 regulated access

Investors gain new ways to access digital asset markets as Interactive Brokers crypto derivatives expand under U.S. oversight.

Interactive Brokers adds nano Bitcoin and Ether futures

Interactive Brokers has broadened its crypto futures lineup through Coinbase Derivatives, introducing nano Bitcoin and nano Ether contracts that trade 24/7 on a regulated U.S. venue. The move gives clients more flexible, compliant exposure to digital assets while maintaining traditional brokerage safeguards.

The new futures use smaller contract sizes of 0.01 BTC and 0.10 ETH. These reduced units lower margin requirements and capital outlay, allowing a wider range of investors to participate in regulated crypto futures. Moreover, traders can fine-tune exposure and manage risk with greater precision than with standard-sized contracts.

The platform has also rolled out perpetual-style futures, designed to offer long-dated exposure to crypto prices. These instruments closely track spot markets over time, so traders do not need frequent contract rollovers. That said, they still benefit from exchange-level risk management and the transparency of a regulated derivatives marketplace.

Smaller contracts and risk control

The nano futures are structured to support tighter position sizing. Traders can scale exposure in smaller increments, which can help control volatility during fast price swings. In addition, more granular sizing supports disciplined strategies during low-volume sessions, when order-book depth can quickly change.

By combining smaller contract sizes with round-the-clock access, the offering is tailored to both active traders and longer-term investors. However, the contracts remain fully integrated into the same risk and margin framework used for other derivatives on the platform, helping align portfolio-wide risk management.

Interactive Brokers oversees more than $800 billion in client assets and offers access to over 170 global markets. Clients can trade stocks, bonds, options, and crypto from a single account. The launch of nano Bitcoin and nano Ether futures further strengthens this integrated, multi-asset model and consolidates everything under one brokerage relationship.

Role of Coinbase Derivatives and regulated access

Coinbase Derivatives supports these products as a U.S.-regulated exchange. After integrating FairX and Deribit, Coinbase expanded its derivatives footprint, deepening its presence in both futures and options markets. Consequently, the partnership offers regulated crypto access for retail traders and institutional clients seeking compliant exposure.

The collaboration also reinforces confidence in regulated crypto futures amid growing institutional interest. While many trading venues operate offshore, this setup provides U.S.-regulated execution with established surveillance and clearing standards, which can be critical for risk-sensitive market participants.

Against this backdrop, the question “does interactive brokers trade crypto” increasingly has a comprehensive answer, as the firm continues to integrate digital assets into its broader brokerage environment.

Integration with broader brokerage services

Interactive Brokers has steadily expanded its crypto product suite beyond futures. Spot trading already includes Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Solana, Litecoin, and Bitcoin Cash on the platform. Moreover, the broker has enabled USDC funding for brokerage accounts and plans to add more stablecoin options over time.

This approach allows investors to manage crypto positions alongside traditional portfolios in the same interface. Clients can move capital between asset classes without shifting funds across multiple platforms. As a result, portfolio oversight becomes simpler, while operational efficiency improves for both active traders and long-term investors.

The broader strategy underlines how integrated brokerage services are evolving. However, key elements such as unified margin treatment, consolidated reporting, and consistent risk controls remain central to the firm’s value proposition as it onboards more digital assets.

Rising demand for perpetual futures

Market demand for perpetual contracts continues to rise globally. According to DeFiLlama, decentralized perpetuals volume almost reached $8 trillion in 2025, reflecting an inflow of $2.55 trillion compared with 2024. Several digital platforms and protocols drove this expansion as traders sought instruments that mimic spot exposure without expiry.

Interactive Brokers crypto derivatives growth aligns with this structural trend. The broker now combines smaller, nano-sized contracts with constant market access, creating a flexible toolset for navigating changing conditions. Such structure allows traders to tailor leverage, hedge existing holdings, or express directional views around the clock.

After the announcement of the new futures, Bitcoin was trading near $69,272, while Ether hovered around $2,020 during the session. In the meantime, IBKR shares slipped marginally on the day, signaling a muted equity market reaction even as the firm deepened its presence in digital asset derivatives.

In summary, nano Bitcoin and Ether futures on a U.S.-regulated exchange, combined with perpetual-style contracts and unified account access, position Interactive Brokers to capture growing demand for sophisticated, risk-controlled crypto exposure.