The whole global market, one SMSF account.
Through our relationship with Interactive Brokers (IBKR), your fund can access 150+ markets across 33 countries from one professional-grade, SMSF-compliant account — Australian, US, UK, European and Asian shares, ETFs, bonds, options, futures and currencies.
And the terms are simple: easySMSF is paid for administration. We receive no brokerage commissions, no trading rebates and no margin on your fund's cash — and we don't require your cash to sit in any particular account.
Truly global markets
150+ markets across 33 countries — direct access to local exchanges in local currencies, not just a curated US watchlist. IBKR is a globally regulated, institutional-grade broker.
No commissions to us
easySMSF does not charge brokerage and receives none from IBKR or any other broker. No trading rebates, no volume incentives, no financial benefit from your trading activity.
No restricted cash account
Your fund banks where you choose, with a supported Australian bank. There is no requirement to hold cash in an account selected to generate revenue for easySMSF — we earn no margin on it.
Through the IBKR account
What your fund can access
One account in the fund's name covers products that would otherwise take several brokers and several sets of paperwork.
ASX & global shares
Direct ASX access plus listed equities across 90+ exchanges in 30+ countries — US, UK, EU and Asia, in local currencies.
International ETFs
Thousands of Australian, US and global ETFs across every major sector, region and asset class — including US-domiciled funds.
Options & futures
Exchange-traded options, futures and warrants on 30+ global derivatives exchanges.
Bonds & fixed income
Australian and international government and corporate bonds, listed hybrids and interest-rate securities.
Multi-currency & FX
Hold AUD, USD, EUR, GBP, JPY and 20+ other currencies — settle trades in local currency without forced conversion.
One compliant account
A single SMSF-compliant IBKR account in the fund's name replaces multiple single-market broker relationships.
Availability of specific instruments depends on IBKR's coverage and your fund's investment strategy. All trading decisions rest with your trustees.
How the IBKR account is set up
- 01
Select IBKR during setup
In the easySMSF setup wizard, choose "Interactive Brokers (IBKR)" as your fund's share trading preference. You can change this later — and there's no brokerage charged by easySMSF either way.
- 02
We prepare the application
We open the SMSF-compliant IBKR account in the fund's name, with your trustees as the account holders. The photo ID you upload during setup also verifies the IBKR application — no separate paperwork.
- 03
Fund it and trade
Once your fund is registered and its bank account is open, transfer cash to the IBKR account and start trading across 150+ markets. Settlement stays inside the fund; IBKR collects the fund's W-8BEN-E as part of onboarding for US-domiciled investments.
A note on crypto
Cryptocurrency is not held through the IBKR account. Where a fund invests in crypto, it is held directly on supported Australian regulated exchanges (CoinSpot, Swyftx, Coinstash, Bitaroo or Independent Reserve) in the fund's own name. No other exchanges, offshore accounts or private wallets are supported.
Not a walled garden
Global access without the lock-in.
IBKR is the default broker we open for new funds because of its breadth and pricing — but it is a default, not a requirement. Your fund is not locked into a closed investment ecosystem.
- Keep an existing broker — CommSec, nabtrade, SelfWealth, Stake, CMC and others are supported, and we integrate the data feed
- Choose your own supported bank for the fund's cash account — there is no required cash account
- Switch broker preference later if your trustees change approach
Why this matters for your fund
Because easySMSF earns nothing from trading or cash balances, the incentives line up with your fund: we have no reason to narrow your investment menu, push a particular broker, or hold your cash somewhere that pays us a margin. Administration is the product; the investing stays yours.
Compare this with platforms whose revenue rises when members trade more or leave cash in a nominated account — the structure, not the marketing, is the difference.
IBKR partnership — frequently asked questions
What is the easySMSF and IBKR relationship?
easySMSF can open an SMSF-compliant trading account with Interactive Brokers (IBKR) as part of your fund's setup. IBKR is the default broker for new easySMSF funds because of the breadth of markets it covers. The relationship is administrative: easySMSF helps open and integrate the account — IBKR is the broker, and your trustees remain the account holder and sole decision-maker.
Does easySMSF receive commissions from IBKR or any other broker?
No. easySMSF is paid for administration only. We do not receive brokerage commissions, trading rebates or a margin on your fund's cash balance — from IBKR or from any other supported broker or bank. Our revenue does not change when you trade more, trade less, or leave cash in a particular account.
Which global markets can my SMSF trade through IBKR?
Interactive Brokers gives your SMSF direct market access to 150+ markets across 33 countries — including the ASX (Australia), NYSE, NASDAQ and CBOE (US), the LSE (UK), Euronext, Xetra, SIX (Switzerland), the TSE (Japan), HKEX (Hong Kong) and SGX (Singapore). Orders are placed on local exchanges, in local currencies, from one account held in the fund's name.
What can my SMSF invest in through the IBKR account?
Australian and globally listed shares, thousands of Australian, US, European and Asian ETFs, exchange-traded options and futures on 30+ derivatives exchanges, listed warrants, government and corporate bonds, hybrids, mutual funds and FX spot. Cryptocurrency is not held through the IBKR account — see below.
Does my fund have to keep its cash in a particular account?
No. With easySMSF there is no required cash account. Your fund's cash sits in the fund's own bank account — titled in the trustee's name 'as trustee for' the fund — with a supported Australian bank that you choose. Some SMSF platforms require or incentivise cash to be held in an account that generates revenue for the administrator; easySMSF does not, because we receive no margin on fund cash.
Can my SMSF use a different broker instead of IBKR?
Yes. IBKR is the default for new funds because of its market breadth, but it is not mandatory. Your SMSF can keep an existing broker — CommSec, nabtrade, SelfWealth, Stake, CMC and many others are supported — and we will integrate the trading data feed for compliance and reporting. There is no requirement to move accounts.
How is cryptocurrency handled?
Crypto is not held through the IBKR account. easySMSF supports crypto held directly on five Australian regulated exchanges — CoinSpot, Swyftx, Coinstash, Bitaroo and Independent Reserve — in the fund's own name. We do not support any other exchanges, offshore crypto accounts, or private/hardware wallets.
What about US-domiciled ETFs and the W-8BEN-E form?
Through IBKR, your SMSF can access thousands of ETFs across Australian, US, European and Asian markets, including US-domiciled ETFs. US withholding tax reporting is handled through a W-8BEN-E for the fund, which IBKR collects as part of onboarding. Whether a US-domiciled or Australian-domiciled ETF suits your fund is a decision for your trustees and, if you have one, your licensed adviser.
General information only — it doesn't take your objectives or situation into account and isn't financial, tax or investment advice. Trading and investment decisions rest with your fund's trustees.
Ready to give your fund the whole market?
Set up your SMSF online and choose IBKR during the wizard — or keep your existing broker. Either way, administration is one fixed monthly fee.