Interactive Brokers Review 2026
Full Interactive Brokers review for Canada traders — regulation, spreads, fees and our honest verdict.
Regulation in Canada
| Regulator | FINRA — FINRA |
| Licence Number | 0258597 |
| Regulated Entity | Interactive Brokers LLC |
| Max Leverage (Forex) | 1:50 |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 |
| EUR/USD Spread | From 0.2 pips |
| Instruments | 150,000+ |
| Platforms | Trader Workstation, Client Portal, IBKR Mobile |
| Copy Trading | ✗ |
| Real Stocks | ✓ |
| Inactivity fee | No inactivity fee |
Verdict
Regulated by FINRA (licence 0258597). Minimum deposit $0. In Canada: maximum forex leverage 1:50.
About Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers was founded in 1978 and is headquartered in Greenwich, CT, USA. The broker offers 150,000 tradeable instruments including forex pairs, CFDs on stocks, indices and commodities. Interactive Brokers is publicly listed on the NASDAQ:IBKR. It is regulated across multiple jurisdictions with a primary licence held by Interactive Brokers LLC under FINRA.
In Canada, Interactive Brokers operates as Interactive Brokers LLC, authorised by FINRA under licence number 0258597. Canada traders are subject to a maximum leverage of 1:50 on forex pairs under FINRA rules.
Trading Platforms
Pros
- FINRA regulated — licence 0258597
- 150,000+ instruments to trade
- Negative balance protection in Canada
- Platforms: Trader Workstation, Client Portal, IBKR Mobile
- Real stock ownership (not CFD)
Cons
- No inactivity fee
- 76% of retail clients lose money
- CFD trading — you do not own the underlying asset
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Interactive Brokers regulated?
Interactive Brokers holds FINRA licence 0258597, issued to the regulated entity {entity}. This is a real, verifiable licence recorded in the official FINRA public register.
What is the minimum deposit for Interactive Brokers in Canada?
The minimum deposit is $0. This is the amount required to open a live trading account for traders in Canada under FINRA regulation.
What leverage does Interactive Brokers offer in Canada?
In Canada, Interactive Brokers offers maximum forex leverage of 1:50 under FINRA rules. Higher leverage may be available through offshore-regulated entities.
Is Interactive Brokers safe to trade with?
Interactive Brokers is regulated by FINRA, which requires segregated client funds, negative balance protection and independent audits. Regulation does not eliminate trading risk, but it provides meaningful investor protection.
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