When it comes to investing in alternative assets, such as crypto, through a retirement account, iTrustCapital and Alto, commonly referred to as Alto IRA, are two of the most well-known self-directed IRA providers.
This article breaks down who each platform is best for and what makes them different.
Here’s an overview of what I found:
- Alto is best for investors seeking broad access to alternative assets—including crypto (250+ available coins) startups, and real estate—with a low $10 minimum and a 1% crypto trading fee.
- iTrustCapital is best for investors who want simple, low-cost access to crypto and precious metals in an IRA. It charges the same 1% crypto transaction fee as Alto. While the $1,000 minimum is higher, it still gives access to over 60 cryptocurrencies. It also offers a unique closed-loop security system through its non-IRA Premium Custody Account with a $2,500 minimum, which adds a strong layer of security.
Key Differences Worth Highlighting
- Alto IRA gives you access to a broader universe of investments, but it comes with more complexity. You’re often dealing with outside platforms, additional account setups, and layered fees. iTrustCapital simplifies the experience by keeping everything under one roof—ideal for those who prefer a clean, contained experience.
- Alto IRA has a very low $10 minimum to get started investing in crypto in an IRA, which is great for new investors. iTrustCapital requires a $1,000 initial investment and $500 minimum contributions thereafter.
- iTrustCapital’s Premium Custody Account, which requires a $2,500 investment, is a closed-loop system designed to reduce the risk of stolen funds. It only allows USD deposits and withdrawals to and from linked U.S. bank accounts, blocking direct crypto transfers that could be intercepted. Alto uses standard protections—holding crypto with Coinbase in hot and cold storage and keeping cash in FDIC-insured accounts—but doesn’t offer a comparable closed-loop structure.
- Alto IRA supports over 250 cryptocurrencies through its Coinbase integration, which may seem appealing but can lead to overtrading and added complexity—especially in a long-term retirement account. iTrustCapital offers over 60 cryptocurrencies, including major and mid-cap assets, providing enough diversity without encouraging unnecessary risk.
Account Setup, Fees & Funding Process
Alto IRA and iTrustCapital both offer Traditional, Roth, and SEP IRAs, and both allow you to fund your account via contribution, transfer, or rollover.
Neither charges fees to move money into your account.
After signing up myself—but not depositing funds—I found both platforms offer clean, modern interfaces. They’re intuitive enough that they don’t add any unnecessary complexity to the investing experience.
Here’s how each platform handles account setup and funding:
Alto IRA Setup Overview
Alto offers two primary products: the Alto IRA, which gives you access to alternative investments like real estate, startups, and private equity; and the Alto CryptoIRA®, which is dedicated to crypto.
Opening an account takes just a few minutes online.
Funding with a direct contribution is typically available within a few business days. Transfers or rollovers may take 1–2 weeks depending on the institution.
- Minimum to invest: $10
- Crypto fees: 1% per trade, no monthly fees
- Alto IRA (non-crypto): Annual fee based on invested capital + possible transaction fees with partners
iTrustCapital Setup Overview
iTrustCapital keeps things streamlined. Opening an account takes minutes, and funding times then would vary:
- Cash contribution via ACH: 1 to 5 business days
- IRA transfer: 1–2 weeks
- Employer rollover: 3–4 weeks
- Minimum to invest: $1,000 to start, $500 for additional contributions
- Crypto fees: 1% per trade, no monthly fees
- Precious metals: $75 over spot (gold), $3.25 over spot (silver)
- $100 Account Opening Bonus
Custodial Account Structures and Security: Alto IRA vs. iTrustCapital
When you invest through a self-directed IRA, there are two layers to understand: first, who holds the account (the custodian responsible for IRS compliance and safeguarding your assets), and second, how and where your investments—like crypto or cash—are actually stored.
Both matter when it comes to security and trust.
Here’s how each provider handles these responsibilities:
Alto IRA
- Custodian: Alto Trust Co.
- Cash storage: FDIC-insured accounts at BankProv.
- Crypto storage: Held at Coinbase in a mix of hot and cold storage.
- Insurance: Coinbase maintains commercial crime and cybercrime insurance. Alto maintains errors & omissions and cyber liability coverage.
- Account structure: Assets are held in your name inside individual IRAs and not commingled with Alto’s assets.
iTrustCapital
- Custodian: Fortis Bank and other qualified institutional custodians.
- Crypto storage: Held through institutional partners like Coinbase Custody, Fireblocks, and Fidelity Digital Assets.
- Cash storage: Held in FDIC-insured or SIPC-insured accounts depending on account type.
- Insurance: Institutional partners provide commercial crime coverage.
- Security: Uses a closed-loop system—funds can only move between linked U.S. bank accounts and your IRA. No external wallet transfers are allowed.
- Account structure: Assets are held 1:1 off-balance sheet and never loaned, leveraged, or commingled.
Which One Is Best
If you’re looking to build a diversified portfolio of alternative assets—and you’re comfortable researching deals and navigating layered fee structures—Alto IRA offers unmatched flexibility.
But that flexibility comes with complexity, especially around fees and setup.
iTrustCapital takes a simpler approach. You won’t find access to real estate or startups here, but it delivers easy exposure to crypto and precious metals through a clean interface and strong structural protections.
If you’re considering adding metals to your IRA, here’s a deeper look at the pros and cons of investing in gold and the best Gold IRA providers.
Its closed-loop Premium Custody Account helps address one of crypto’s biggest concerns: the risk of losing assets to fraud or mismanagement. Which gives TrustCapital a slight edge on my end, as transaction fees on crypto are identical.
All that said, If you’re going to add crypto to your retirement portfolio, don’t just think about getting in. Think about what happens if it works—and if it doesn’t.
Ask yourself:
- What percentage of your portfolio is going into crypto? Be specific. Whether it’s 1%, 3%, or 5%, decide upfront.
- What’s your exit plan if it grows 2x? Will you trim back to keep your portfolio balanced—or let it ride?
- What if it drops by 70%? Are you mentally (and financially) prepared to hold?
- Where does crypto fit in your overall asset allocation? Is it replacing stocks? Commodities? Cash?
These questions form the backbone of a solid financial plan—the kind that keeps you grounded when emotions run high.
