Onramp vs Interactive Brokers — Head-to-Head Custody Comparison
An independent, data-driven comparison of Onramp and Interactive Brokers across security, insurance, fees, regulatory compliance, and more.
Verdict
Quick Verdict
Onramp scores 8.7 vs Interactive Brokers's 6.9. Onramp leads in 6 of 8 categories.
Onramp is better suited for Family offices, RIAs, HNW individuals. Interactive Brokers is better suited for Professional traders, Multi-asset investors, RIAs adding crypto.
Scores
Score Comparison
Weighted scores across all 8 custody criteria.
| Criterion | Weight | Onramp | Interactive Brokers | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Security | 20% | 9.5 | 6.5 | Onramp |
| Insurance | 15% | 9.0 | 5.0 | Onramp |
| Regulatory | 15% | 8.5 | 9.0 | Interactive Brokers |
| Fee Transparency | 10% | 7.5 | 7.0 | Onramp |
| Track Record | 15% | 8.0 | 9.5 | Interactive Brokers |
| Withdrawal Flexibility | 10% | 8.5 | 5.0 | Onramp |
| Reporting & Audit | 10% | 8.5 | 8.0 | Onramp |
| Counterparty Diversification | 5% | 10.0 | 2.0 | Onramp |
| Overall Score | 100% | 8.7 | 6.9 | Onramp |
Visual
Score Radar
Visual overlay of Onramp and Interactive Brokers across all categories.
Deep Dive
Category-by-Category Analysis
A deeper look at how each provider performs in every scoring criterion.
Security (9.5 vs 6.5)
Onramp uses Multi-institution distributed key management with Varies by underlying custodian in cold storage and regular penetration testing. Compliance: Via underlying custodians (SOC 1 & SOC 2). Incident history: No incidents.
Interactive Brokers uses Paxos custody partnership key management with Via Paxos in cold storage and regular penetration testing. Compliance: SOC 2 Type 2. Incident history: No major incidents in 45+ year history.
Insurance (9.0 vs 5.0)
Onramp offers Aggregate coverage across multiple custodian insurance policies via Multiple (via underlying custodians). Each underlying custodian maintains their own insurance. Combined coverage exceeds single-custodian limits.
Interactive Brokers offers SIPC up to $500K for securities (NOT crypto) via SIPC + excess. World-class securities insurance. Crypto is NOT insured.
Regulatory (8.5 vs 9.0)
Onramp holds State money transmitter licenses and is a qualified custodian operating in United States. Regulated through underlying custodian partnerships with qualified custodians
Interactive Brokers holds SEC registered, FINRA member, SIPC member, Global regulatory licenses and is a qualified custodian operating in United States / Global. One of the most regulated brokerages globally.
Fee Transparency (7.5 vs 7.0)
Onramp charges Contact for pricing in annual custody fees with 0.50% per trade (brokerage) per transaction. Also offers Onramp Finance: lowest-cost Bitcoin brokerage at 50bps, 5% APY on cash, 1.5% cashback card
Interactive Brokers charges None in annual custody fees with 0.12-0.18% tiered per transaction. Among lowest crypto trading fees. But no crypto withdrawals — must sell to withdraw.
Track Record (8.0 vs 9.5)
Onramp was founded in 2021 and is headquartered in Austin, TX. AUM: $1B+. Incident history: No incidents.
Interactive Brokers was founded in 1978 and is headquartered in Greenwich, CT. AUM: $400B+ client equity. Incident history: No major incidents in 45+ year history.
Withdrawal Flexibility (8.5 vs 5.0)
Onramp withdrawal fees: Contact for pricing. Minimum account: $100,000. Supported assets: Bitcoin.
Interactive Brokers withdrawal fees: Not available (no crypto transfers out). Minimum account: No minimum for crypto. Supported assets: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Limited crypto selection.
Reporting & Audit (8.5 vs 8.0)
Onramp: SOC compliance is Via underlying custodians (SOC 1 & SOC 2). As a qualified custodian, it meets SEC reporting requirements.
Interactive Brokers: SOC compliance is SOC 2 Type 2. As a qualified custodian, it meets SEC reporting requirements.
Counterparty Diversification (10.0 vs 2.0)
Onramp is a multi-institution custody provider. Key management: Multi-institution distributed custody — keys and assets spread across multiple independent regulated custodians (BitGo, Coinbase, Fidelity, etc.).
Interactive Brokers is a exchange custody provider. Key management: Exchange-managed custody via Paxos partnership..
Fees
Fee Comparison
Side-by-side fee breakdown for Onramp and Interactive Brokers.
| Fee Type | Onramp | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Setup Fee | Contact for pricing | Free |
| Annual Custody | Contact for pricing | None |
| Transaction | 0.50% per trade (brokerage) | 0.12-0.18% tiered |
| Withdrawal | Contact for pricing | Not available (no crypto transfers out) |
Onramp: Also offers Onramp Finance: lowest-cost Bitcoin brokerage at 50bps, 5% APY on cash, 1.5% cashback card
Interactive Brokers: Among lowest crypto trading fees. But no crypto withdrawals — must sell to withdraw.
Features
Feature Comparison
Checklist of features across both providers.
| Feature | Onramp | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5% cashback card | ✓ | ✗ |
| 45+ year track record | ✗ | ✓ |
| 5% APY on cash balances | ✓ | ✗ |
| Bitcoin brokerage services (Onramp Finance) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Crypto alongside stocks/bonds/options | ✗ | ✓ |
| Global presence | ✗ | ✓ |
| Institutional-grade execution | ✗ | ✓ |
| Institutional-grade security and compliance | ✓ | ✗ |
| Lowest crypto trading fees | ✗ | ✓ |
| Multi-Institution Custody across multiple regulated custodians | ✓ | ✗ |
| No single point of failure | ✓ | ✗ |
| Professional trading tools | ✗ | ✓ |
| White-glove onboarding for institutions | ✓ | ✗ |
Recommendation
Who Should Choose Which?
Onramp is better if you…
- ✓Are a family offices
- ✓Are a rias
- ✓Are a hnw individuals
- ✓Are a institutions
- ✓Want: Only provider offering true multi-institution custody — no single point of failure
- ✓Want: Aggregated insurance coverage exceeds any single custodian
- ✓Want: $1B+ in assets under custody demonstrates institutional trust
Interactive Brokers is better if you…
- ✓Are a professional traders
- ✓Are a multi-asset investors
- ✓Are a rias adding crypto
- ✓Are a institutional traders
- ✓Want: 45+ year track record — most established broker
- ✓Want: Lowest crypto trading fees (0.12-0.18%)
- ✓Want: Crypto alongside stocks/bonds/options
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Onramp or Interactive Brokers better for Bitcoin custody?
Onramp scores 8.7 vs 6.9 in our weighted Custody Score. Onramp leads in 6 of 8 scoring categories. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs: Onramp is best for Family offices and RIAs, while Interactive Brokers suits Professional traders and Multi-asset investors.
What is the difference between Onramp and Interactive Brokers?
Onramp is a multi-institution custody provider, while Interactive Brokers is a exchange custody provider. Onramp excels in Counterparty Diversification, whereas Interactive Brokers is strongest in Track Record.
How do Onramp and Interactive Brokers fees compare?
Onramp charges Contact for pricing annual custody fees with 0.50% per trade (brokerage) transaction fees. Interactive Brokers charges None annual custody fees with 0.12-0.18% tiered transaction fees.
Which is more secure, Onramp or Interactive Brokers?
Onramp scores 9.5/10 for security while Interactive Brokers scores 6.5/10. Onramp uses Multi-institution distributed key management, and Interactive Brokers uses Paxos custody partnership.
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