Interactive Brokers Backs Crypto Startup Zerohash in $104M Raise, Valuing Firm at $1B: Report
Global electronic brokerage giant Interactive Brokers led a $104 million Series D funding round for crypto infrastructure startup Zerohash, placing the company’s valuation at $1 billion.
The investment marks a significant step in the broker’s involvement with digital assets, as financial firms accelerate plans to expand into the sector.
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Interactive Brokers at the Center of the Deal
According to CNBC, the funding round also included investors such as Morgan Stanley, SoFi, and funds managed by Apollo. Interactive Brokers already uses Zerohash for crypto trading and custody services, and the two companies plan to launch a stablecoin product.
The raise comes amid a shift in U.S. regulatory attitudes toward crypto under President Donald Trump. The administration’s more favorable approach contrasts with the stricter stance of former SEC Chair Gary Gensler.
Focus on Trading, Stablecoins, and Tokenization
The change has prompted large banks to revisit digital asset services. In April, SoFi CEO Anthony Noto told CNBC that the firm was preparing to reintroduce crypto trading. Morgan Stanley is also close to offering crypto trading through its E*Trade unit, with Zerohash providing the infrastructure.
The investment bank plans to offer cryptocurrency trading to E*Trade customers through the partnership, marking another major Wall Street bank’s move into retail crypto services. The rollout is scheduled to start in the first half of 2026 with three major cryptocurrencies—Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana.
Founded in 2017, Zerohash allows banks and fintechs to offer products in crypto trading, stablecoins, and tokenization. In July, reports emerged that Interactive Brokers was considering launching its own stablecoin to facilitate around-the-clock account funding. The brokerage also evaluated whether to support third-party stablecoins, depending on the credibility of their issuers.
Exploring Blockchain-based Payments
The move added Interactive Brokers to a growing list of financial firms experimenting with blockchain-based payments under a more supportive U.S. regulatory backdrop.
Related: Interactive Brokers Evaluating Stablecoin Launch to Enable 24/7 Client Funding: Report
Interactive Brokers currently provides crypto access through partnerships with Paxos and Zero Hash, allowing clients to trade digital assets directly through its platform.
Stablecoins enable users to transfer funds outside the traditional banking system. Regulators, especially in the US, have started to relax restrictions around their use, but critics caution that the assets could be exploited to bypass compliance measures, including anti-money laundering checks.
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