Overview

These FAQs summarize key information related to the Ukraine/Russia sanctions. This page will be updated to reflect additional sanction-related restrictions or other developments. Last update: January 10, 2025…

Transfers of non-sanctioned Russian securities to a non-U.S. broker by non-EU persons for divestment purposes will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.  Requests should include an attestation that the transfer is for the purpose of divesting the holding to a non-U.S. person.  IBKR reserves the right to reject or cancel pending transfers. …

Escrow accounts will be visible in Client Portal in the same way as all other accounts owned by the clients. You will have read only access to the new escrow account and obtain statements & reports.

Additional Information…

Note: These FAQs are subject to change. IBKR is continuing to monitor developments related to the sanctions on MOEX, NCC, and NSD.

A. Sanctions on MOEX, NCC, and NSD…

Updated as of October 31, 2022

The U.S. and other governments have specifically sanctioned certain Russian companies that issue securities, meaning these securities cannot be traded or transferred.  In addition, the U.S. has prohibited the purchase of new and existing debt and equity securities issued by all Russian companies.  As a result, trading in all Russian securities has been either fully or partially restricted.  …

Updated as of February 02, 2024

EU Securities Restrictions…

Updated as of October 31, 2022

 The U.S., U.K., and EU sanctioned a number of leading Russian banks, generally prohibiting transactions with these banks. …

Updated as of October 31, 2022

In February 2022, the U.S., U.K., and EU issued a series of sanctions against Russia related to its actions in Ukraine. The sanctions include restrictions for persons and entities in the Luhansk and Donetsk provinces, similar to the 2014 Crimean sanctions…

Updated as of October 26, 2023

IBKR does not currently allow clients to maintain RUB as their base currency.  If you previously used RUB as your base currency, we converted it to USD or EUR depending on which IBKR entity carries your account. (This information can be found in the…

The Russian government has established its own procedures through which Russian residents can convert Depository Receipts or submit a forced transfer of Russian securities to the NSD.  In compliance with relevant sanctions laws and regulations, including those issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”), IBKR does not participate in either process and will not provide signed and stamped statements, safekeeping certificates, or depositary/custodian information for Russian securities that can be used to facilitate either process…

Updated as of December 15, 2022

1. What are the restrictions on non-sanctioned Russian securities? The U.S. sanctions prohibit U.S. financial institutions from facilitating the purchase of securities of any Russian company.  This means that you cannot open new positions in Russian securities, including their derivatives. …

IBKR can process conversions of depository receipts on non-sanctioned Russian securities so long as the ADR/GDR is eligible for conversion and these transactions settle before August 13, 2024.  IBKR will attempt to facilitate these conversions on a best-efforts basis and cannot guarantee the completion of the transaction.  Pending ADR/GDR conversions of non-sanctioned Russian securities will be subject to cancellation on August 13, 2024…

Updated as of October 31, 2022

Market Data Restrictions…

IBKR created an “escrow account” for you to hold positions in sanctioned securities so they are segregated from your other holdings in accordance with sanctions regulations.

Additional Information…

There is a wind-down period until August 13, 2024, during which clients can divest (close out) to non-U.S. persons non-sanctioned Russian securities traded on MOEX or cleared through the NCC/NSD.  Starting August 13, non-sanctioned Russian securities will be fully restricted and you will not be able to trade or transfer your positions. …