A Detailed Interactive Brokers Review 2025

Interactive Brokers, often called IB, is a major name in financial trading, providing services for both everyday investors and large companies. However, some questions have come up about its reliability after recent office visits showed unexpected findings. This article offers a clear and fair look at Interactive Brokers, using its official licenses, on-site office checks, and customer feedback to help you decide if its a safe choice or something to approach with caution as of June 4, 2025.

Official Licenses: A Promising Start

Interactive Brokers holds licenses from several well-respected regulatory groups worldwide, which at first suggests its a solid option:

• Hong Kong (SFC License): It has been licensed by the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong since January 7, 2004, with license number ADI249. This covers futures contracts and leveraged forex trading, marked as “Regulated,” with no end date.
• Japan (FSA License): The Financial Services Agency of Japan has regulated it since September 30, 2007, with a Retail Forex License (License No. 187). Its listed as “Regulated,” with no expiration date.
• United Kingdom (FCA License): The Financial Conduct Authority in the UK has licensed it since February 6, 2002, as a Market Maker (MM) with license number 208159. Its marked as “Regulated,” with no end date.
• Australia (ASIC License): The Australian Securities & Investments Commission has regulated it since July 28, 2016, as a Market Maker (MM) with license number 000453554. Its listed as “Regulated,” with no expiration date.

The company provides specific email addresses for each region, such as thkhk@interactivebrokers.com.hk for Hong Kong, complianceuk@interactivebrokers.com for the UK, and complianceaus@ibkr.com for Australia. It also runs websites like www.interactivebrokers.com.hk and www.interactivebrokers.co.uk, matching its licensed operations. The “No Sharing” label on all licenses means Interactive Brokers doesnt share its license with others, which shows it follows the rules.

But licenses alone don‘t tell the whole story. Recent on-site visits to the company’s offices in the United States, Australia, Japan, the UK, and Hong Kong have brought up some points to consider, which well explore next.

Office Visits: Surprising Findings Worldwide

A team conducted on-site checks to verify Interactive Brokers office locations listed in its official records. The results raise some questions about how the company operates in different regions.

United States: No Active Office in Greenwich

In Greenwich, Connecticut, the team visited the office at Two Pickwick Plaza. They found the space, but it didnt seem like a working business—there were no people, no signs of activity, and the office appeared empty. This makes you wonder if Interactive Brokers is really running things in the U.S. as it claims.

Australia: Quiet Office in Sydney

In Sydney, Australia, the team went to L1 175 Pitt St, Sydney NSW 2000. They found the office with the Interactive Brokers logo, but it was empty. There were no staff members, and it didnt look like the office was being used. Not having an active office in a big market like Australia is something to think about.

Japan: Office Found, But No Dealer Present

In Tokyo, Japan, the team visited the address at Toranomon Station, Kasumigaseki. The office was there, and the Interactive Brokers logo was visible. But they didn‘t find any signs of a foreign exchange dealer working there. The office seemed more like a placeholder, with no real trading or customer activity. This difference between its license and what’s happening on-site is worth noting.

United Kingdom: Office Not in Use in London

In London, UK, the team checked out 20 Fenchurch Street, Floor 12. They found the office, but it wasnt being used. The space looked like an empty shell, with no staff or business activities going on. Seeing this pattern in big financial cities makes you question how active Interactive Brokers really are.

Hong Kong: Office Exists, But Details Are Unclear

In Hong Kong, the team visited Two Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, on the 15th floor. They confirmed the office was there, with the Interactive Brokers logo and signs visible. But they couldnt go inside to see if the office was handling trading or customer services. While this is the only location where an office was confirmed, not knowing more about its operations leaves some questions.

Office Locations: A Pattern to Consider?

Looking at all five regions, there‘s a clear trend: Interactive Brokers either don’t have a working office or the offices aren‘t fully active. This is surprising since the company has had licenses for a long time—since 2002 in the UK and 2004 in Hong Kong. Not having active offices might mean the company isn’t as big as it seems, which could affect how investors view its global reach.

The reports from these visits mention that the information from Interactive Brokers is just for reference and shouldn‘t be the only thing you base your decisions on. This note stands out with the findings, as it puts the responsibility on investors to double-check the company’s claims—a task that, as the visits show, brings up some challenges.

Customer Opinions: A Range of Experiences

Customer reviews of Interactive Brokers show a variety of experiences. Some people really like the company for its low fees, advanced tools, and access to global markets. For example:

• One user said, “The platform is one of the best out there, with low fees and great tools. Its awesome for experienced traders.”
• Another user shared, “I‘ve been trading with IB for years and haven’t had any problems with withdrawals or support.”

But other users have had different experiences:

• One person mentioned, “I lost money because of hidden fees and slow support. They didnt reply when I needed help.” (A 2024 Case)
• Another user noted, “The platform is good, but Im concerned about their reliability after hearing about the office issues. I might switch to another broker.”

These varied opinions show that while Interactive Brokers has a strong platform, some users have concerns about its transparency and support. (A 2024 Case)

Is Interactive Brokers a Good Choice?

Looking at the information, Interactive Brokers is a bit of a mixed bag. On one side, it has licenses from trusted groups in Hong Kong, Japan, the UK, and Australia, which points to some level of reliability. Not sharing its licenses and having rules in place for over 20 years in some areas are good signs.

On the other side, the on-site visits show a lack of active offices in key places. The pattern of empty or unused offices in the U.S., Australia, Japan, and the UK raises questions about how open the company is. Even in Hong Kong, where an office was found, the lack of clear details about its work adds to the uncertainty. This gap between its licenses and physical presence is something to think about, as it might mean Interactive Brokers isnt as established as it appears.

The mixed customer feedback adds to the complexity. While some users are happy with the platform, others have worries about fees, support, and the companys overall trustworthiness.

You can check out for more reviews from diverse traders on Interactive Brokers page.

https://www.wikifx.com/en/dealer/0001646186.html

Final Thoughts: Take It Slow

Interactive Brokers isn‘t a clear scam, as its licenses are real and it’s been operating for over 20 years. But the office visits suggest it might not be as open about its operations as it should be. The lack of active offices in major financial hubs could mean the company isnt showing its full picture, which might confuse investors.

For those thinking about using Interactive Brokers, it could still be a good choice if you like its platform and low fees. But it‘s smart to be careful. Check everything yourself, start with a small amount of money, and be ready for possible issues with support or withdrawals. If knowing a company’s full operations matters to you, you might want to look at other brokers with clearer physical setups.

Investors should do their own research before choosing Interactive Brokers, as the differences found in the visits raise some valid points to think about.