Interactive Brokers, the publicly traded retail brokerage (NASDAQ: IBKR), has launched cryptocurrency staking for eligible clients, with digital asset infrastructure firm zerohash providing the underlying service. Clients of Interactive Brokers LLC can now submit staking and unstaking requests through a dedicated Staking Dashboard in the firm's Client Portal, according to an announcement from the company.
Staking rewards, once earned, are credited as additional staked cryptocurrency and can compound while positions remain locked. The offering marks Interactive Brokers' entry into the yield-generating segment of institutional and retail crypto custody, a product category that has expanded among mainstream brokerages as Ethereum staking has matured beyond solo validators and small pools.
Interactive Brokers operates across multiple regulated jurisdictions and manages client assets worth hundreds of billions of dollars. The firm has expanded its cryptocurrency offerings incrementally since 2021, beginning with spot trading and custody before adding options and futures markets. The addition of staking rounds out a product stack that now spans trading, custody, and yield generation on major blockchain assets.
Zerohash, the infrastructure partner, provides settlement, custody, and operational services for digital assets across regulated financial institutions. The firm does not operate its own staking pools; instead, it integrates with external validators and protocols to route client positions. Interactive Brokers clients participating in the staking program do not receive direct control of private keys; custody remains with Interactive Brokers.
Ethereumstaking has become a core revenue driver for financial services firms seeking to offer competitive yields in a low-rate environment. Staking returns on Ethereum currently range between 2 percent and 3.5 percent annually depending on validator performance and network conditions. Competing brokerages including Fidelity and Schwab have introduced similar staking services in recent years, though most restrict access to qualified or accredited investors.
The service is available only to eligible Interactive Brokers LLC clients, a constraint that typically refers to U.S. residents meeting minimum account thresholds. No enrollment cap or asset minimum for staking participation has been disclosed.
The expansion of staking products through regulated brokerages has reduced barriers to entry for retail participants previously unable to run their own infrastructure. Interactive Brokers' move places the firm alongside established custodians offering protocol yield but through an existing brokerage interface rather than a dedicated staking app. The adoption rate among Interactive Brokers clients and the fee structure for staking rewards will determine whether the offering gains material traction in a category already served by specialized platforms.
