If you have requested an IRA account with margin permissions you may trade products which are denominated in a currency other than that of your designated Base Currency. However, as IRA accounts, by regulation, are not allowed to borrow cash (i.e., have a debit balance in any currency type), you would need to first convert a sufficient amount of your current cash balance into the currency in which the product is denominated prior to entering your order to purchase that product. This conversion can be transacted on our IdealPro platform if greater than USD 25,000, or equivalent, or the odd lot venue if below USD 25,000.
Can I trade products denominated in a currency other than my base currency in an IRA account?
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Can I convert a long cash balance to a non-base currency or trade a position denominated in a non-base currency in my cash account?
Overview:
Yes, with certain limitations. We provide cash accounts the ability to trade products denominated in a currency other than the designated base currency of the account as long as the account is classified as a multi-currency cash account (i.e., maintains Forex trading permissions). To trade a security denominated in a non-base currency, the account holder must either first deposit the appropriate currency into their account or perform a currency conversion via the IdealPro venue. Regardless of the method selected, one needs to ensure that a sufficient balance of the appropriate currency exists in order to cover the purchase price of the applicable security including commissions prior to submitting the order or it will be rejected. This implies that IdealPro currency conversions must settle prior to the converted funds being available for a subsequent transaction (e.g., if you are converting USD into EUR for the purpose of purchasing a EUR denominated stock, you would not be able to enter the stock order until the conversion trade had settled two business days later)…
Will changing my Base Currency impact my account balances?
It is important to note that changing your Base Currency does not convert existing cash balances or change the denomination of a security into any other currency.
The particular currency used to purchase and settle any given instrument, or meet the cash variation on a futures product, is determined by the listing exchange, rather than the broker. Accordingly, if you enter into a transaction to purchase a security which is denominated in a currency that you do not hold and, assuming that you have sufficient margin excess, IBKR will create a loan for those funds. Note that this is necessary as we are obligated to settle that trade with the counterparty (i.e., clearinghouse) solely in the designated currency of denomination…
Can I select a Base Currency other than USD for my IRA?
Clients may select a Base Currency other than USD for their IRA account although this election does not allow any different trading permissions than those determined by the "Cash" or "Margin" type account election. In addition, only balances denominated in USD may be withdrawn or transferred from an IRA account. …
Can I trade multi-currency products in my IRA account?
An IRA account may trade products denominated in a currency other than the USD Base Currency, but such accounts are not allowed to borrow cash in any currency. Therefore, if you are looking to purchase a product denominated in a currency other than the Base Currency, you would need to first convert your Base Currency into the denominated currency of that product. …