Interactive Brokers vs Bitpanda: Fees, Security, Features & Which to Choose (2025)

Trying to choose between Interactive Brokers and Bitpanda This side-by-side comparison reveals total cost (fees + spreads), security & licenses, coins/derivatives, deposits/withdrawals, and app quality. In 2 minutes you’ll see who wins for beginners, active traders, and long-term holders. Clear pros/cons, a quick verdict, and safe links to get started.

Last updated on August 29, 2025

Interactive Brokers

Bitpanda

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Available Countries

United States

Yes

Europe

Yes

Latin America

Yes

India

Yes

China

Canada

Yes

United Kingdom

Yes

United States

Yes

Europe

Latin America

India

China

Canada

Yes

United Kingdom

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Interactive Brokers is ideal if:

Perfect for global-active traders: Ideal if you want deep, real-time access to dozens of international markets and advanced trade execution tools.
Great for portfolio diversifiers: Excellent choice if you aim to build a diversified, multi-asset portfolio using an all-in-one platform.
Strong for research-driven investors: Tailored for those who rely on rich analytics, extensive market data, and customizable tools to inform their decisions.

Bitpanda is ideal if:

Beginner-friendly yet feature-rich — Bitpanda blends a clean, intuitive interface with advanced tools like savings plans, staking, and crypto indices, making it equally welcoming for new users and appealing to more experienced traders.
Strong regulatory and security foundations — Fully licensed across Europe and ISO-certified, with free fiat wallets and robust custody services, Bitpanda offers reliability and transparency that instill investor confidence.
Comprehensive investment offering under one roof — Beyond crypto, Bitpanda supports precious metals, fractional stocks/ETFs, and a Visa debit card, empowering diverse portfolio strategies in a unified platform.

Interactive Brokers isn’t ideal if:

Not ideal for new investors: The platform’s advanced tools and steep learning curve can feel overwhelming to beginners.
Not ideal if you rely on high cash interest yields: Smaller account balances typically don’t earn meaningful interest on idle cash.
Not ideal if you need highly responsive support: Some users report challenges with support responsiveness and personalized assistance.

Bitpanda isn’t ideal if:

Limited geographic reach — Primarily available only within Europe and offering minimal accessibility or functionality outside the EU, making it unsuitable if you're located elsewhere or traveling frequently.
Derivative-based asset exposure — Traditional assets like stocks, ETFs, and commodities are offered via derivatives, meaning you don’t gain actual ownership of the underlying assets.
Support and fee transparency concerns — Some users report slow or frustrating customer support experiences, and trading costs are embedded within spreads rather than clearly displayed, limiting fee clarity.

Fees & Total Costs

Spot Maker/Take

IBKR charges between 0.18% and 0.12% of trade value depending on your monthly crypto trading volume—fees decrease at higher tiers (≤ $100k = 0.18%, $100k–$1M = 0.15%, > $1M = 0.12%)—no additional discounts for holding a native token.

Bitpanda’s standard platform uses built-in premiums rather than explicit maker/taker fees, but its former advanced exchange (Bitpanda Pro) allowed maker and taker fees starting at around 0.10% and 0.15%, decreasing as volume grows, and holders of the platform’s native token (BEST) receive a fee discount.

Futures/Derivatives

For CME cryptocurrency futures like Bitcoin or Ethereum, fees are fixed per contract (e.g., Bitcoin Micro Futures range from $0.20 to $5 per contract depending on type and volume), with no explicit maker/taker split or funding fee details disclosed for crypto derivatives.

Bitpanda primarily offers derivatives exposure (e.g. tokenized stocks or commodities) rather than true crypto futures, so specific maker/taker tiers or funding-rate mechanics typical of perpetual futures platforms are not part of its offering.

Average Spreads on Liquid Pairs

IBKR applies no added spreads or markups on crypto spot pairs, so spreads reflect raw market pricing without hidden cost.

Bitpanda embeds a premium into the buying price—typically around 1.49%—which naturally expands the spread on liquid pairs like BTC/USDT or ETH/USDT compared to raw market prices.

Fiat Deposits & Withdrawals

Fiat funding supports standard bank methods (ACH, wire transfers), with typical timing of same or next business day, and IBKR does not tack on extra fees beyond those charged by your bank or processor.

Fiat is supported via multiple channels—such as SEPA bank transfers (free and takes one to three business days), instant options like card, SOFORT, Giropay, Neteller, or Skrill (available immediately or within a day), though availability and bank-side charges may apply.

On-chain Withdrawals

Crypto withdrawals incur network-based miner (gas) fees, dynamically set per blockchain network (e.g., BTC, ETH, TRX)—IBKR does not apply fixed withdrawal fees, only pass-through transaction costs.

Crypto withdrawals are charged only the network (miner) fee for the respective blockchain (e.g. BTC, ETH, TRX), not a separate Bitpanda fee, meaning charges are dynamic and reflect current on-chain conditions.

Hidden Costs

There are no inactivity fees or express-KYC surcharges, but costs may arise from currency conversion when trading non-USD balances, and VAT or GST may apply depending on your jurisdiction.

Bitpanda imposes no inactivity fees and offers transparent pricing, though converting between fiat currencies may incur exchange margins; expedited KYC or “express” identity checks may rely on third-party services that could introduce time or cost variations not directly detailed.

Real-World Cost Example: “€500 BTC

You’d incur a fee of approximately ~0.18% (about €0.90) plus the market spread, and if you then withdrew on-chain you’d pay the dynamic network fee—so total cost is fee + spread + blockchain cost.

If you buy €500 worth of BTC, Bitpanda embeds a roughly 1.49% premium, reducing your crypto position value; combined with the network fee if you immediately withdraw, your total cost reflects the spread premium plus the dynamic withdrawal fee—without adding separate platform trading or inactivity charges.

Crypto Offering & Trading Features

Number of Coins & Pairs

Interactive Brokers currently enables trading in up to 11 cryptocurrencies (including BTC, ETH, LTC, BCH, ADA, SOL, XRP, DOGE, AVAX, LINK, SUI), but does not provide a full list of trading pairs by volume; generally, the highest-volume pairs are BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT given their market prevalence.

Bitpanda’s platform boasts a broad universe of over 500 cryptocurrencies, making it one of the largest selections among European crypto brokers. While exact daily ranking data for the top 20 by volume isn’t public, it’s safe to infer that major tokens like BTC, ETH, ADA, SOL, and BNB lead the activity charts.

Product Range

The platform supports spot trading, crypto futures via CME, and access to crypto-based ETPs, but does not currently offer margin crypto trading, perpetual swaps, crypto options, staking/earn, loans, copy trading, grid bots, or auto-DCA features.

Bitpanda supports spot trading, margin trading on select assets, crypto indices (akin to ETFs), flexible staking, and short-term leveraged “Leverage” trades—but doesn’t offer perps, options, copy-trading, grid bots, or automated DCA features.

Liquidity

IBKR doesn’t publish specific liquidity metrics, though their access to major global markets and professional counterparties ensures deep liquidity and tight order book depth for Bitcoin and Ethereum, aligning with institutional-grade execution standards.

Bitpanda’s public 24-hour trading volume is modest compared to major global exchanges, translating to moderate liquidity and average order-book depth—adequate for standard trades but potentially limiting for very large orders on BTC/ETH.

Tools

The platform integrates limit, stop, and OCO orders, real-time alerts, and advanced charting with analytics; it offers full API and WebSocket access for automation, but does not currently feature native TradingView integration within its interface.

The platform offers basic order types such as limit and stop orders and price alerts, with clean but somewhat simplified charting, however it does not support full TradingView integration or publicly accessible API/WebSocket access for automated trading.

Geographic Restrictions by Product

Certain products are restricted by jurisdiction—for instance, crypto spot trading is unavailable to residents of the EU and UK under specific subsidiaries, and crypto derivatives are outright prohibited for UK retail clients.

Due to regulatory and licensing boundaries, certain products—like leveraged trades and staking—may be restricted in select jurisdictions; availability can vary significantly from one country to another within Europe and beyond.

Innovation

Currently, the platform does not offer launchpad or launchpool programs, nor differentiated flexible or locked crypto-earn/yield products, though it is exploring innovations such as stablecoin funding and prediction-market tools for future updates.

Bitpanda offers flexible staking—which allows you to stake and unstake assets at any time (with the exception of ETH, which has a short 48-hour unlock window)—but currently lacks launchpad or launchpool mechanisms for token launches or themed token farming opportunities.

Security, Regulation & Custody

Operating Entity & Jurisdiction

Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. operates under U.S. jurisdiction, was founded in the late 1970s, and is headquartered in Greenwich, Connecticut, with regional offices globally to serve a multi-national client base.

Bitpanda is operated by Bitpanda GmbH, founded in 2014 and headquartered in Vienna, Austria; since 2022, it has operated under the umbrella of its Swiss parent, Bitpanda Group AG.

Licenses/Registration

Crypto execution and custody are provided via Paxos Trust Company or Zero Hash LLC, both regulated entities (for example, Paxos is overseen by the New York Department of Financial Services); IBKR does not self-custody crypto assets.

Bitpanda holds a range of regulatory approvals—including PSD2, MiFID II, and multiple MiCA licenses (from Germany’s BaFin, Malta’s MFSA, and Austria’s FMA)—positioning it as one of the most regulated crypto platforms in Europe.

Custody

Custody is handled by Paxos or Zero Hash, not IBKR directly, and while there’s no public proof-of-reserves or cold storage ratio published, custody is managed through regulated third parties with institutional-grade controls.

Client assets are held in fiduciary custody, segregated from Bitpanda’s own funds, with a mix of hot and highly secure cold wallets and externally audited custody practices—not commingled or speculative.

Insurance & Protection Funds

There are no specific crypto insurance or protection funds advertised by IBKR; instead, asset protection relies on the compliance and safeguards offered by the regulated custodians (Paxos/Zero Hash).

Client holdings are backed by real assets, but there’s no blanket insurance policy for all crypto holdings—coverage applies under specific circumstances and documentation requirements, not universally automatic.

Incident History

The platform has not experienced major crypto-related hacks, but it has faced regulatory issues such as fines in Hong Kong over securities lending and U.S. sanctions violations—though these pertain to broader operations rather than crypto custody per se.

Bitpanda has not had any major security breaches to date; it has publicly dismissed claims of a large-scale data leak and emphasizes its robust custody design to minimize vulnerability.

Risk Controls

IBKR supports strong risk controls including two-factor authentication, whitelisting, anti-phishing measures, sub-accounts, and granular API permissions to help safeguard client accounts.

The platform offers standard security features such as two-factor authentication and anti-phishing protections, though more advanced controls like whitelist addresses or granular API permissions aren’t highlighted.

Transparency

Public transparency on crypto custody is limited—there are no monthly reports, open wallet addresses, or service level agreements (SLAs) disclosed for crypto—but overall regulatory reporting follows standard broker-dealer and custodian requirements.

Bitpanda promotes transparency through regular audits and regulatory adherence, but it doesn’t publish public wallets, monthly proof-of-reserves reports, or service-level agreements for users.

Deposits, Withdrawals, KYC & Support

Fiat Deposit Methods

IBKR accepts fiat deposits via ACH, bank wire, check (mail-in), direct debit, and bill-pay depending on your region; setup times and limits vary by method and your bank, typically ranging from same day to a few business days, with no universal minimum or maximum beyond what your bank imposes

Bitpanda supports a variety of fiat deposit options—including bank transfers, credit/debit cards, and e-wallets—depending on your currency. Minimum amounts start around €10, while daily and monthly ceilings vary by your verification level and chosen method; transfer times range from instant (cards/e-wallets) to a few business days (bank transfers).

Supported Fiat Currencies & Conversion

KYC (Verification Levels)

IBKR requires full standard KYC before allowing any fiat or crypto activity; there are no “limited” or “basic” tiers — only fully verified accounts can deposit, trade, or withdraw, as per their global customer identification protocols

Bitpanda enforces mandatory KYC for all users in compliance with EU regulations, without tiered “basic” or “advanced” levels; only verified accounts can access services, with deposit and withdrawal limits defined by your status and payment method.

Withdrawals

Fiat withdrawal limits are tied to your 2FA method (ranging from $50K/day without 2FA up to unlimited with advanced devices); ACH, wire, SEPA, BACS, etc., are supported, with processing times from same-day to a few business days

Cryptocurrency withdrawals are supported across multiple networks (e.g., ERC-20, TRC-20), with limits and processing tied to your verification and chosen method; fiat withdrawals may require confirmation periods before becoming available for use or payout.

Customer Support

Support is available via email and a ticket system, with access to a comprehensive knowledge base and FAQs; while 24/7 live chat may not be universally offered, response times are generally within a few business hours depending on region and inquiry type

Bitpanda offers around-the-clock customer support via a ticket-based system (no live chat or phone), typically with timely email responses; additionally, a detailed help center provides self-service articles for common queries.

Languages & Localization

The platform supports multiple languages including native Spanish in some regions; fiat balances and fees are displayed in your account’s base currency (e.g., € for European accounts), and localized regulatory disclosures are provided based on your residency

The platform supports multiple languages—including native Spanish—and displays fees in relevant fiat (e.g., Euros); it also complies with local regulations across supported European regions to ensure legal alignment.

App Quality & Stability

IBKR’s mobile and desktop apps are known for their professional-grade stability and frequent updates, with rare crashes; while exact crash rates aren’t published, ongoing improvements and strong infrastructure ensure a smooth user experience.

Bitpanda’s app is known for its smooth, stable performance and frequent updates across iOS and Android; while specific crash metrics aren’t public, user feedback signals a generally reliable and well-maintained mobile experience.

Experience, Performance & Ecosystem

UX/UI

The platform offers two distinct experiences—IBKR Lite with a simplified, intuitive interface ideal for casual investors, and IBKR Pro providing a richer, more sophisticated layout for seasoned users; this creates a steeper entry curve for Pro but delivers far greater customization once you acclimate.

Bitpanda presents a clean, intuitive interface designed for beginners on its standard platform, while Bitpanda Pro offers a more advanced trading UI tailored to seasoned users—both share familiar navigation patterns but differ in complexity to match user experience levels.

Performance

Execution speed is highly efficient under normal conditions, yet during intense market swings, order latency may increase slightly; KYC processing can be slower during bull market surges due to high volume, though platform infrastructure remains stable with few interruptions.

Thanks to its Fusion aggregation layer, Bitpanda delivers enhanced pricing and generally low latency even during volatility spikes, though KYC processing may slow slightly when demand surges in bull markets.

Education

There’s a rich learning ecosystem via IBKR Campus with structured lessons, webinars, and quizzes, alongside a paper trading simulator mirroring real market conditions; while most materials are in English, some Spanish-language content is progressively added.

Bitpanda provides a comprehensive Academy with multilingual educational materials—including Spanish—covering crypto basics, markets, and investing strategies, though it doesn’t currently feature a trading simulator or demo environment.

Community

The platform supports a structured referral program (with eligibility criteria), but lacks official social media groups like Discord or Telegram, and instead relies on educational forums and support channels to foster user interactions.

Bitpanda maintains active user engagement through an official blog, a referral rewards program, and presence on social platforms, but doesn’t host its own public forum, Discord server, or Telegram group.

Integrations

Powerful integration options exist via IBKR APIs, TWS, Web API, and FIX, enabling seamless connectivity with external platforms for execution, tax reporting, or accounting, even if native TradingView embedding isn’t available.

While Bitpanda lacks native TradingView or third-party bot integration, it provides a Technology Solutions API for institutional use and supports built-in tax reporting tools for users.

Who Each One Is Best For

The setup shines for active, research-driven traders and institutional users who value automation and deep tools, while the Lite mode serves casual or cost-conscious investors who want straightforward access without complexity.

Bitpanda’s intuitive design and educational support make it an excellent starting point for crypto newcomers, whereas Bitpanda Pro—with its richer tools and integrations—is ideal for professional traders seeking performance and advanced control.