Best Crypto IRAs: The Ultimate Roundup

It’s never too early to start thinking about retirement – and besides, an ample head start will give you plenty of time to explore alternative options! If you’re looking to move a step beyond conventional crypto investments and set yourself up for your golden years, this guide on the best crypto IRAs could be the perfect place to start.

In 2023, more than four in ten Americans^[1] owned an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). However, the latest crypto boom has opened up the market for cryptocurrency-based IRAs. The proponents list all sorts of benefits, from diversification of assets to using crypto as a hedge against inflation.

Unlike “traditional” IRAs, though, crypto IRA companies haven’t stood the test of time yet. Even if you decide to try and transform crypto into your retirement savings instead of simply trading it on exchanges like Binance – how to choose the best option for your needs? Find out all this and more in my comprehensive guide!

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Top 10 Best Crypto IRAs

Without further ado, let’s dive straight into the list. Here’s my curated collection of the best crypto IRA companies offering a diverse range of features. No matter what your needs are, there’s bound to be something in there you’ll like.

iTrustCapital: Best Overall Crypto IRA

If the customer reviews are any indication, iTrustCapital definitely claims the number one spot as the best crypto IRA. It stands out from the crowd with its stripped-down fee structure, high cryptocurrency selection, robust security, and a convenient transfer system from other IRAs.

While many other alternatives only offer Bitcoin, Ethereum, and a few leading altcoins at most, iTrustCapital crypto IRA lets users stock up their portfolio with over 80 assets, including SOL, XRP, ADA, and even meme coins like DOGE (even though most crypto experts would probably advise against using meme coins for your retirement funds). There's also an option to buy gold or silver.

On iTrustCapital, you can open an unlimited number of crypto IRA accounts for retirement investing. There are no storage limits, either! Speaking of storage, this platform employs reliable third-party storage providers like Coinbase Custody and Fireblocks to bolster the security of your assets. These partnerships come with institutional-grade security features, including cold storage and Secure Multi-Party Computation (SMPC).

You won’t be strapped for choice when it comes to funding options, either: iTrustCapital crypto IRA can be funded with cash or funds transferred from another existing IRA (traditional, Roth, or SIMPLE). You can also roll over another retirement plan, such as 401(k), 403(b), TSP, or 457. The minimum amount required to open an iTrustCapital account is $1,000.

And the best news is that all of these features come with a relatively uncomplicated fee package. Opening an IRA is completely free of charge, and you won’t be tied down with any monthly or annual fees. What’s more, there are no withdrawal, transfer, or exit fees either. The only cost involved is buying or selling crypto, which comes with a 1% transaction fee, and a one-time fee of $75 to convert a Traditional IRA or SEP IRA to a Roth IRA, if you need it.

Key Features

Here are the features that make iTrustCapital one of the best choices for a crypto IRA:

• Flexible IRA Options. Choose between a traditional, Roth, or SEP (Simplified Employee Pension) IRA.
• Large Asset Selection. Buy or sell over 80 cryptocurrencies, as well as gold or silver.
• Your Assets Are Yours. iTrustCapital and its custody providers don’t borrow or lend against clients’ assets or leverage them against profit.
• IRS & Tax Reporting. iTrustCapital uses a regulated, state-chartered trust company to hold the self-directed IRAs and custody client assets.
• Conditional Transactions. Set up conditional orders that will automatically execute if the asset reaches a certain price (similar to Limit and Take Profit/Stop-Loss orders on crypto exchanges).

iTrustCapital is only available in the US (which is the case for every platform on this list).

Fidelity: A Crypto IRA With In-House Custody

Time to meet another heavy hitter! Fidelity is one of the best crypto Roth IRAs if you want high security with in-house custody and cold storage, and don’t mind taking a few extra steps along the way.

Fidelity crypto IRAs’ asset selection isn’t exactly impressive, but it would still cover most users’ needs: you can trade BTC, ETH, or LTC. You can open a traditional IRA, a Roth IRA, or a Rollover IRA, which is set up to receive transfers from another type of retirement account.

The way Fidelity handles opening and using an IRA is a bit different from some of the other alternatives here: instead of funding it directly, you’ll need to link a Fidelity brokerage IRA with the same registration type and then transfer the funds from that IRA to the crypto IRA. But don’t worry – if you don’t have one yet, Fidelity will set it up for you automatically, and those transfers don’t get taxed.

What Fidelity lacks in a streamlined user experience, however, it makes up for with security features. Instead of relying on third-party custodian services, it uses its own institutional custody platform, Fidelity Management Trust Company (FMTC). Most of the crypto is held in cold storage, with only a small portion kept online in hot wallets, and it’ll never be lent out without the customers’ consent.

Fidelity’s approach to fees is pretty similar to that of iTrustCapital’s: you won’t be charged for opening or maintaining an account. Instead of fixed transaction fees, though, this company charges a spread of 1% on the execution price of crypto buying and selling transactions (aka, the difference between your execution price and the price at which Fidelity buys or sells digital assets to fill your order).

Key Features

Let’s recap some of the distinguishing features of Fidelity Crypto IRA:

• Three Types of IRAs. Open a traditional, Roth, or rollover IRA. If you’re not sure which one would suit you best, check out the comparison table on Fidelity’s website.
• No Minimum Investment. You can invest as little as you want (although there’s a maximum annual contribution limit of $7,000 for those aged under 50 and $8,000 for users over 50).
• In-House Custody. Fidelity crypto IRA uses its own custodian, Fidelity Management Trust Company (FMTC), so there's no third-party involvement.
• IRA Contribution Calculator. Check your IRA eligibility, contribution limits, and tax deduction on Fidelity’s website.
• Tax Reporting. Fidelity provides Form 5498 or Form 1099-R to report year-end valuations and Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) status.

Fidelity is only available to US residents aged 18 or older, excluding these states: Connecticut, Hawaii, New York, Nevada, Vermont, and Washington.

Alto IRA: Diverse Crypto Portfolio for Your Retirement Savings

Looking to invest in some other crypto assets besides the A-list coins like Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Solana? Alto IRA will probably be your best bet! This platform offers some of the most flexible crypto IRA accounts for retirement investing, as long as you don’t mind transfer fees.

It knocks it out of the park with over 250 cryptocurrencies to choose from – which might not measure up against crypto exchanges like Bybit with almost 2,000 assets, but is still far beyond what you’d find on most of the other best crypto IRAs. You’ll see many of the less mainstream coins like AAVE, POPCAT, SUI, and XTZ.

Opening a new account only takes a few minutes, and Alto has a decent mobile app for iOS and Android. Just like most other platforms, Alto gives you a choice between a traditional, SEP, or Roth crypto IRA, any of which can be funded with cash contributions, transfers from other IRAs, or a rollover from existing retirement accounts (with no transfer fees). What’s more, there’s no maximum limit on IRAs per person.

Just like most other crypto Roth IRA companies (and most centralized exchanges, for that matter), Alto stores the bulk of its users’ funds in cold storage, with a small amount held in hot wallets to be instantly accessible for transactions. Alto’s Coinbase integration serves not only as an institutional custody platform but also as the middleman for buying and selling crypto (hence the unusually large asset selection!).

Unfortunately, when it comes to fees, Alto can’t exactly boast the same minimalist approach as some of the other IRAs. Aside from the 1% crypto buying and selling fee, you’ll have to pay a transfer fee of $25-50 for moving your funds out of the IRA. Closing your account or converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA costs $50. On the bright side, there are no custody fees.

Key Features

Check out the main features of Alto crypto IRA:

• Over 250 Cryptocurrencies. Choose from a list of 250+ crypto assets to buy or sell from your IRA.
• Multiple Funding Options. Fund your IRA with cash, transfers from other IRAs, or roll over a different retirement plan or account to Alto.
• Several Order Types. Alto supports both Market and Limit orders for buying and selling crypto.
• Low Entry Barrier. You can start investing in your IRA with as little as $10.
• Integrated Partner Investments. Alto offers an option to execute an investment on one of its integrated partners on your behalf for an additional fee of $10.

Alto’s list of supported countries is limited to the US (with the exception of Hawaii).

Swan Bitcoin: Bitcoin-Only IRA With One-on-One Support

While some users might appreciate a large crypto selection, Bitcoin is still, hands down, the safest bet for an IRA – what better asset to invest in than the very first and oldest cryptocurrency? Swan is the best crypto IRA for BTC fans who want easy onboarding, plenty of funding options, and customer support that goes the extra mile.

With the Swan IRA, your only option is buying Bitcoin and holding it (as of writing this, it doesn’t support selling BTC). Its IRA type selection is pretty minimalist, too: you can only choose between a traditional or Roth IRA, while some other companies on this list offer SEP/SIMPLE, too. On the plus side, there’s a way to convert a traditional IRA into a Roth IRA for free.

When it comes to funding options, though, Swan makes no compromises. There are 4 options in total: transferring USD from an existing IRA (any type, including SEP or SIMPLE IRA) either partially or in full, a wire transfer, a rollover from an old 401(k) or 403(b) account, or even direct Bitcoin transfer from another IRA (this option isn’t available yet, but will be introduced soon).

Swan has a partnership with Equity Trust, a leading IRA custodian with over $65 billion in assets under its care. It utilizes all the standard features and safeguards you could expect, such as cold storage and multi-signature wallets, as well as a robust backup mechanism and military-grade protection through Hardware Security Modules (HSMs) – physical devices with anti-tampering protection for private key storage.

If you’re not a fan of monthly or annual fees, here comes the catch: unlike many other IRAs, Swan does charge a 0.02% custody fee. The minimum fee is $20, which means you probably won’t want to open a Swan Bitcoin IRA if your investments are too low, so you won’t be overcharged. There are no fees for opening or closing an account, transferring funds, or initiating a rollover.

Key Features

Let me sum up the key selling points of Swan Bitcoin IRA:

• Bitcoin-Only. Open a traditional or Roth IRA for the oldest and most valuable cryptocurrency to date.
• Multiple Funding Methods. Fund your IRA with a wire transfer, a USD or BTC transfer from another IRA, or a rollover from an old retirement plan.
• Private Support. Get one-on-one assistance for opening an account or for more complicated cases of transfers and rollovers.
• DCA Purchase. Swan supports setting up automatic BTC purchases to utilise the Dollar-Cost Averaging (DCA) strategy.
• Advanced Return Calculator. Check out the return calculator on Swan’s website and see how much you can expect to earn in annual returns in different market scenarios, depending on your tax status and annual income.

Swan is available in all of the US, with no state restrictions.

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BitIRA: The Most Secure Crypto IRA

If security is your top priority, there are no other crypto Roth IRA companies on this list better suited to handle your assets. BitIRA offers a considerable crypto selection with benefits such as Ledger-backed storage, end-to-end insurance policy, and personal support from expert team members.

On this platform, you’ll find four types of IRA available: traditional, Roth, SEP, and SIMPLE. The potential asset collection is modest, but still more impressive than that of many other alternatives: the list includes 18 cryptocurrencies, with some less mainstream additions like XLM, AAVE, and UNI.

BitIRA supports rollovers from traditional or Roth IRAs, as well as other retirement plans like 401(k), 403(b), Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), and 457. If you’ve never owned an IRA before, you can book a support session with one of the company’s Digital Currency Specialists or IRA specialists to help you out with setting up a rollover or filling out the paperwork.

As I mentioned earlier, BitIRA definitely doesn’t skimp on security measures. “End-to-end insurance” isn’t just a fancy buzzword: in this case, it means your assets are insured all the way from transit to storage, against situations like hacking or theft, embezzlement, or physical loss. Meanwhile, a partnership with Ledger Enterprise brings multi-signature authorization and advanced encryption into the fold. BitIRA also has SOC 2 Type 2 Certification.

Last but not least, BitIRA’s fee structure looks pretty customer-friendly. There aren’t any account setup or custody fees, and the transaction fee (spread) is included in the final price. However, you’ll have to pay for wire transfers ($25 per transfer).

Key Features

Here are the main features you’ll find on BitIRA:

• 18 Cryptocurrencies. Choose between BTC, ETH, SOL, and other popular crypto assets.
• 4 Types of Crypto IRA. You can open a traditional, Roth, SEPA, or SIMPLE IRA.
• Top-Notch Security. BitIRA is equipped with end-to-end insurance, cold storage with multi-signature authorization, a SOC 2 Type 2 certificate, and all the latest compliance regulations.
• Leading Partnerships. The company has teamed up with Ledger, Galaxy Digital, and Equity Trust Company to integrate their expertise in crypto storage solutions, crypto transactions, and asset custody, respectively.
• Support from Digital Currency Specialists. Get personal help from BitIRA’s highly qualified support team for setting up your IRA or managing the paperwork and taxes.

BitIRA is available to all eligible US residents.

Coin IRA: Retirement Savings in Crypto & Precious Metals Combined

Some of the best crypto IRAs on this list already offer traditional IRAs with “conventional” assets like precious metals – but what if you’d rather hold both crypto and precious metals in the same IRA? In that case, Coin IRA might just be your best bet!

Aside from 18 cryptocurrencies (including BTC, ETH, SOL, and LTC), you can also choose to invest in whole or fractional amounts of pure (999.9) gold, silver, or platinum, starting from amounts as low as $10. The precious metal assets are backed by the physical metal bars in secure independent vaults in the US. Coin IRA crypto and precious metal trading options include DCA.

If you stick with crypto investments, the minimum amount you’ll have to put in is $5,000 worth of assets. There’s an option to transfer funds from an existing IRA or rollover your 401(k), 457, 403(b), TSP, or pension. Just like many similar companies, Coin IRA offers traditional, Roth, SEP, and SIMPLE IRAs.

When it comes to security, you’ll find a few familiar names here. BitIRA has chosen Equity Trust Company as the custodian for all of its IRA accounts, and Ledger Enterprise for the cold storage technology. Equity Trust doesn’t allow lending, borrowing or staking your crypto and maintains complete control over your private keys. Meanwhile, Ledger contributes a FIPS level III hardware ecosystem (the same technology used by governments and international banks to protect their assets).

Coin IRA charges a 1.25% and 1% fee for buying or selling cryptocurrencies, respectively. There are no account setup or maintenance fees, and crypto storage and custody come free of charge, too.

Key Features

Let’s take a look at the most enticing features Coin IRA has on the plate:

• Crypto & Precious Metals Combo. Invest in any of the 18 available cryptocurrencies or gold, silver, or platinum, all in one account.
• 4 Types of IRA. Choose between a traditional, Roth, SEP, or SIMPLE IRA.
• Ledger-Backed Cold Storage. Ledger Enterprise takes Coin IRA’s storage security to the next level, providing benefits like multi-signature authentication and a FIPS level III hardware ecosystem.
• Expert Customer Support. Get help from Coin IRA’s customer support team or IRA Specialists by phone or email from 7 AM to 6 PM Pacific time.
• No Monthly/Annual Fees. You won’t have to pay for asset custody or for opening/closing an account, only for transactions.

Just like most companies on this list, Coin IRA’s services are limited to US residents, with no state exceptions.

Unchained IRA: Bitcoin Retirement Account With a Self-Custody Option

Not every crypto enthusiast is a fan of institutional custody. If you’d rather take the matter into your own hands and keep control of your private keys, Unchained Capital offers users a choice between institutional and self-custody, or even a hybrid model that combines both, each option with its own respective pricing structure.

Unchained Capital’s crypto selection is limited to Bitcoin-only (as the company puts it, “Your retirement account is not a casino!”), and you can pick either a traditional or a Roth IRA. Funding options include a full or partial rollover of an old 401(k) or IRA account, or an in-kind transfer from another Bitcoin IRA. An additional fee of $1200 (discounted to $895, as of August 20, 2025) gets you a one-on-one onboarding guidance session.

Unchained Capital recommends starting with the delegated or partial custody option, which costs $250 per year (starting from year 2), plus an extra 0.30% quarterly fee in the case of full custody or a 0.15% quarterly fee if you retain partial custody (control one key while Unchained Capital controls the other). The self-custodial IRA has the same $250 annual fee without the extra quarterly costs.

If you retain full custody, you’ll have to pay a flat 1.5% Bitcoin trading fee, while the self-custodial IRA splits the trading fees by the purchased amount: if you’re converting less than $100,000, the same 1.5% fee applies, and for larger sums, the fee goes down to 1.25% (for purchases under $1 million) or 1% (for purchases under $5 million). Keep in mind that there’s a $2,000 minimum for each trade, however.

If this selection seems convoluted enough, brace yourself – there’s more! For another $500 per month, you could take your IRA setup to the next level with Unchained Signature, a pro-level hub that offers services like personalized Bitcoin education, reduced trading fees, invitations to exclusive events, and more.

Key Features

These are the standout features of Unchained IRA:

• Bitcoin Focus. Invest in the oldest and most valuable cryptocurrency without risking your retirement savings with more volatile assets.
• 2 Types of IRA. Choose between a traditional or Roth IRA.
• Self-Custody Option. Retain full control of your private keys and assets or choose partial or full institutional custody instead.
• Additional Services. Try bonus services like Unchained Signature or Concierge Onboarding for a premium crypto IRA experience.
• Multi-Tier Trading Fees. For self-custodial IRA accounts, Bitcoin trading fees range from 1% to 1.5% depending on the size of the transaction.

Unchained is open to US residents in most states, except for New York, New Jersey, South Dakota, and North Carolina.

How Do Crypto IRAs Work?

If some of the features boasted by these crypto Roth IRA companies still sound a bit confusing, it’s time for a proper introduction to the topic of crypto IRAs! How do they really work, compared to “traditional” IRAs or simply selling or buying crypto on exchanges like Kraken or Bybit?

Traditional IRAs and Their Types

First things first: an Independent Retirement Account (IRA) is a type of account that functions as your personal retirement savings vault. As the name suggests, an IRA can’t be used for everyday withdrawals like a regular bank account.

Once you reach 59 and a half years, you’re allowed to take some funds out without incurring the 10% penalty for early withdrawals, while 73 is the threshold for Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) – meaning that, starting from that age, you’re required to withdraw a certain minimum amount per year.

Forced discipline isn’t the only benefit of an IRA account, though. The main selling point is the tax advantages. Contributions to a traditional IRA are tax-deductible: this means they don’t get counted in your taxable income and only get taxed during withdrawal. With a Roth IRA, the benefits are sort of reversed: your contributions to that account are made with after-tax money, which means you get to withdraw them tax-free.

You might remember the other two types offered by some of the IRAs I mentioned on this list: SEP and SIMPLE. SEP, which stands for Simplified Employee Pension, is a type of IRA account set up by self-employed individuals or business owners for themselves or their employees, which allows much larger contribution limits than a regular or Roth IRA (up to 25% of the employee’s compensation or $70,000).

A SIMPLE IRA account functions pretty much the same way, except it’s not just the employer who can contribute, but the employees, as well (up to $15,500 of their compensation), while the employer has to match up to 3% of the employee’s salary. For example, if an employee decides to contribute $10,000 of their salary to the SIMPLE IRA, the employer has to add $1,800 of their own.

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Crypto IRAs

That’s it for the general overview of IRAs – let’s hone in on our topic in question! While the above-mentioned approach describes “traditional” IRAs funded with fiat currency, an increasingly popular alternative is a “self-directed IRA” – an IRA that allows other types of investments, including – you guessed it – cryptocurrency.

Most of the mechanics are the same: crypto IRA owners in the US are still subject to the IRS-imposed withdrawal and contribution rules. However, there are two key differences:

• Crypto IRAs typically involve a third-party institutional custody service, since the IRA company itself doesn’t store your assets;
• Crypto IRA services include buying (and sometimes selling) cryptocurrency through the integrated crypto exchange or broker.
• Crypto bought and sold on the IRA won't be subject to capital gains tax.

That said, there are some notable exceptions, such as Unchained, that allow users to handle their own custody.

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Key Considerations for Choosing the Best Crypto IRA

Any of the best crypto Roth IRAs I’ve curated here could be an adequate starting point – but if you really want to narrow down your options, here’s a checklist with all the factors worth taking into account:

That’s about it! With this advice in hand, choosing your IRA should be a breeze. Even if you accidentally pick an option you’re not happy with at the end, as long as you’re not tied up with any annual fees, you can easily switch to another IRA company (as long as you don’t mind the paperwork!).

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Conclusions

Crypto-based retirement savings accounts are gradually finding their niche in the market, with more investors keen to step off the beaten path and diversify their assets. If you’re one of them, this list of the best crypto IRAs has everything you need to get started with your research!

All in all, crypto IRA options from different companies have a lot more similarities than differences. Some require more upfront commitment than others, however. If you’ve never had any type of IRA before, let alone a crypto one, I’d recommend choosing a company that won’t tie you down with monthly or annual custody fees and offers one-on-one support sessions.

The content published on this website is not aimed to give any kind of financial, investment, trading, or any other form of advice. BitDegree.org does not endorse or suggest you to buy, sell or hold any kind of cryptocurrency. Before making financial investment decisions, do consult your financial advisor.

Scientific References

1. Holden S., Schrass D.: 'The Role of IRAs in US Households' Saving for Retirement, 2023';

2. Holden S., Schrass D.: 'The IRA Investor Profile: Roth IRA Investors’ Activity, 2010–2020'.