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

Trying to choose between Interactive Brokers and Bigone 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

Bigone

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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

Yes

Latin America

Yes

India

Yes

China

Yes

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.

Bigone is ideal if:

Strong security foundations — BigONE deploys cold wallet reserves, multi-signature storage, and enforced two-factor authentication, making it a solid pick if asset protection is your priority.
Flexible services ecosystem — Offers margin and futures trading, copy trading, staking, lending, and liquidity mining—all within a single platform, ideal for users who want diverse earning and trading options.
Beginner-friendly features — With demo accounts, low minimum deposits, an intuitive interface, and mobile access, it provides a gentle entry point for new traders keen to learn hands-on.

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.

Bigone isn’t ideal if:

Not fully regulated transparency — The exchange doesn’t clearly disclose its regulation structure or provide detailed company background, which could raise trust concerns for users seeking fully licensed platforms.
Fiat limitations affect access — Lacks direct fiat deposit support in many regions and doesn’t allow bank/card funding in most cases, making it inconvenient for users who prefer traditional payment methods.
Security breach history — Recently suffered a significant hack targeting its hot wallet, temporarily halting trading and deposit services—which may deter those prioritizing operational resilience.

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.

BigONE charges a flat 0.2 % for both maker and taker orders on spot trading, and applies discounts through its tiered VIP system—higher levels (Bronze to Challenger) qualify for lower maker/taker fees based on privilege points earned via volume, referrals, or holdings, with fees notably reduced at top tiers

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.

For perpetual futures contracts, BigONE charges 0.02 % maker and 0.06 % taker fees, with funding rate payments exchanged between long and short positions at regular intervals and no additional platform fee for funding itself

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.

While BigONE-specific spread data is scarce, the exchange’s BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT pairs are generally expected to align with tight spreads seen across highly liquid platforms—typically well below 0.1 % for such major pairs

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.

methods, fees, timings

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.

fixed vs dynamic fees (BTC, ETH, TRX, etc.)

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.

Implicit costs can include exchange rate conversion within OTC trades, inactivity charges (none publicly indicated), expedited KYC processes (not clearly associated with extra cost), or fallback spreads embedded in peer-to-peer OTC fiat conversions—so while not labeled as fees, these can quietly affect overall costs.

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.

Suppose you convert €500 via OTC into USDT or BTC (with a typical provider fee of ~2 %), then place a spot trade paying ~0.2 % spot fee and accept a spread of ~0.05 %; if you then withdraw BTC on-chain (0.0005 BTC fee), your total cost would roughly include

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.

BigONE supports over 500 cryptocurrencies across more than 170 trading pairs, with its top-20 by volume typically including heavyweights like BTC/USDT, ETH/USDT, XRP/USDT, and SOL/USDT.

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.

You’ll find a broad suite of offerings—spot, margin trading (up to 10×), perpetual futures (up to 100× leverage), structured products (like dual investment), lending, staking, liquidity-mining, copy-trading, grid-bots, and DCA-style automated tools.

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.

The 24-hour trading volume is in the high hundreds of millions of dollars, and for key pairs like BTC and ETH, order book depth is robust enough to ensure smooth execution on sizable trades.

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.

BigONE supports a full range of order types—including limit, stop, TP/SL, OCO, post-only and reduce-only—along with trading alerts, advanced charting (TradingView integration), and both REST API and WebSocket access for automating or building strategies.

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.

Some advanced products—especially derivatives—are not accessible in restricted regions such as the United States and China, limiting access based on user location.

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.

The platform includes innovative features like flexible versus fixed staking options, launchpad/launchpool alternatives, and other evolving income opportunities to help users engage with new projects or yield mechanisms.

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.

BigONE is operated by One Trading Limited, founded in 2017 and registered in Seychelles; it also operates under the regulated entity BigONE Eurasia based in Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), which is governed by the Astana Financial Services Authority.

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.

The AIFC-based segment of BigONE holds licenses for operating as an investment exchange, clearing house, trading facility, and custodian—indicating formal oversight in that jurisdiction, though global licensing appears limited.

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.

BigONE maintains a mixed custody model with segregated cold and hot wallets, employs multi-signature safeguards, and claims 100 % asset reserves with a mechanism enabling users to track reserves—though external audit or formal Proof of Reserves verification remains unpublished.

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).

The platform holds an internal insurance reserve pool which it drew upon to fully compensate users after a security breach, acting as a form of self-insured protection.

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.

In July 2025, BigONE endured a supply-chain attack targeting its hot wallet, resulting in a $27 million loss—private keys remained intact, the threat was contained, and full user compensation was made from internal reserves.

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.

Security measures include mandatory two-factor authentication, real-time wallet monitoring, cold-hot wallet separation with multi-signature use, encrypted key management, and a public bug bounty program to surface vulnerabilities.

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.

While BigONE communicates openly during incidents and allows reserve tracking, it currently does not publish regular reports, maintain a public wallet address, or offer formal service-level agreements.

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

BigONE doesn’t support traditional fiat deposits directly through bank transfer, card, or e-wallets; instead, users rely on its OTC desk, where they can use channels like Alipay or WeChat Pay to convert fiat to crypto for trading. No official minimums or maximums are advertised, and timings depend on third-party provider processing.

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

BigONE features two identity verification tiers

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

limits, speeds & networks

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

The exchange offers 24/7 multilingual assistance via live chat and ticketing/email, though it lacks a direct call center; users can also consult an extensive FAQ and support library through the help center for self-service.

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

BigONE’s interface supports over a dozen languages, including English, and displays trading figures in widely used currencies such as USD and EUR, but local regulatory nuances aren’t highlighted or tailored for specific jurisdictions.

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.

The BigONE mobile app—available on iOS and Android—is reported to be stable and smooth, with fast loading times, no significant lags or crashes noted, frequent updates, and a responsive UI that supports real-time trading and charting.

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.

BigONE delivers a clean and intuitive interface that’s approachable for newcomers yet robust for advanced users; mobile and web platforms provide streamlined default views for quick trades and a more advanced layout (pro-style) for detailed charting and order control.

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.

Order execution is generally fast and consistent, with minimal delays under normal conditions; even during high-volatility spikes, the system scales reliably, and KYC processing experience remains responsive without long queue delays—even in peak 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.

The platform offers educational resources like a learning center and trading guides, though a full demo or simulator isn’t currently available; Spanish content is moderate—translated basic materials exist but in-depth tutorials are primarily in English.

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.

BigONE nurtures an active community with official channels on Telegram and Discord, maintains a robust referral rewards program offering fee discounts, and engages users through social updates rather than formal forums.

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.

There’s a built-in TradingView terminal for advanced technical analysis, supports integration with external trading bots via API, though it doesn’t offer native tax or accounting tools; users typically export data for external bookkeeping.

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.

This platform suits a wide range—from beginner users who value simplicity and educational support to intermediate traders who want tools like grid bots and copy-trading, but power users seeking full tax or accounting automation may need complementary tools.