Not long ago, I was quoted a staggering 12.5% front-end fee just to open a crypto IRA. Today, competition has driven costs down, and adding crypto to your retirement portfolio can be nearly as affordable as investing in stocks or bonds.
What Is a Crypto IRA?
The IRS doesn’t officially recognize the term “crypto IRA.” What we’re really talking about is a self-directed IRA that makes it possible to hold digital assets. These accounts have been around for decades, originally designed for investing in things like real estate, private businesses, or precious metals.
When it comes to crypto, there are two main types of self-directed IRAs: custodial accounts and checkbook control accounts.
- Custodial accounts are the most common. Here, a qualified custodian holds your crypto in institutional-grade cold storage. You can log in and trade much like you would with Coinbase, but without having to worry about managing private keys or compliance. For most buy-and-hold investors, this is the simpler and more affordable path.
- Checkbook control accounts are more advanced. In this setup, your IRA owns an LLC that you manage. This gives you the ability to trade directly on-chain, use wallets in the LLC’s name, or even pursue DeFi strategies. While it offers maximum flexibility, it also comes with higher setup costs, more responsibility, and the need for larger balances to justify the fees.
Most investors will be best served with a custodial account. Checkbook control tends to make sense only for very experienced traders who understand on-chain security and want that extra level of control.
The Best Crypto IRAs: Our Ranking Criteria
When ranking these platforms, I put the most weight on fees and security. Having access to more coins can be nice, but let’s be honest — trading meme coins inside a retirement account isn’t a smart long-term move. That’s why I ranked cost and safety above everything else, while still factoring in asset variety and overall user experience.
Here’s my rundown of the existing crypto IRA platforms:
- iTrustCapital: Best for cost-conscious investors and long-term buy-and-hold.
- IRA Financial: Best for experienced investors wanting checkbook control.
- Fidelity IRA: Best for investors who only want exposure to major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum.
- Alto: Best for small investors who want access to more coins.
- Rocket Dollar: Ideal for advanced DIY self-custody users.
- Bitcoin IRA: Only for those prioritizing staking despite high fees.
- Choice: Not recommended due to regulatory concerns.
#1. iTrustCapital
| Setup fee: | $0 |
| Maintenance fees: | $0 |
| Transaction fee: | 1% (Buy/Sell) |
| Account minimum: | $1,000 |
| Cryptocurrencies available: | 80+ |
| Account types: | Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SEP IRA. |
iTrustCapital is a self-directed IRA provider specializing in cryptocurrencies and precious metals. Founded in 2018, it has processed more than $10 billion in transactions and serves over 200,000 accounts.
iTrustCapital customers can set up traditional, Roth and SEP IRA accounts. iTrustCapital also has an IRA rollover function that lets you transfer crypto you currently hold within an IRA to minimize transfer time; they’re the only provider we identified that offers this feature.
iTrustCapital supports more than 80 digital currencies, and crypto assets are held with institutional storage providers (Coinbase Custody and Fireblocks). Fees are straightforward: a flat 1% per transaction, with no monthly, annual, or setup costs.
iTrustCapital Pros:
- No monthly, annual, setup, exit, commission fee
- Features crypto custody provided by Coinbase Custody & Fireblocks, which secures assets with cold storage, MPC, and HSM
- Has competitive transaction fees for buys and sells.
- Allows staking for Solana and Ethereum
- Highest third-party review scores of any platform we reviewed
iTrustCapital Cons:
- $1,000 account minimum investment requirement.
- $500 minimum for additional contributions.
- Does not support stocks or other alternatives outside crypto and precious metals.
To learn more, read our iTrustCapital Review.
Visit the iTrustCapital website.
#2. IRA Financial
| Setup fee: | $0–$999 (depending on account type) |
| Maintenance fees: | $100–$495 annually |
| Transaction fee: | 1% per crypto trade (Bitstamp exchange) |
| Account minimum: | $1,000 |
| Cryptocurrencies available: | 46 |
| Account types: | Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SEP IRA, Solo 401(k), HSA, Coverdell ESA, ROBS |
IRA Financial is a self-directed IRA custodian that stands out for offering both custodial and checkbook control IRAs, along with one of the broadest ranges of account types. In addition to standard IRAs, clients can open Solo 401(k)s, HSAs, and even Coverdell ESAs.
Founded in 2010, IRA Financial now manages over $4 billion for 24,000+ clients nationwide.
Where IRA Financial shines is checkbook control. With this structure, you establish an IRA-owned LLC, allowing you to invest almost anywhere — from trading crypto directly on-chain to buying real estate or private equity deals. This flexibility comes with more responsibility, but for experienced investors it provides unmatched control.
On the crypto side, IRA Financial partners with Bitstamp, a regulated exchange. Investors own crypto directly, with custody handled through Bitstamp’s cold storage. There’s a flat $100 annual crypto fee plus a 1% trading fee.
IRA Financial is best suited for experienced investors or business owners who want multiple account types under one roof, or those who value the ability to use checkbook control for greater flexibility.
IRA Financial Pros:
- Offers both custodial and checkbook control IRAs
- Supports a wide range of accounts (IRAs, Solo 401(k)s, HSAs, ESAs, ROBS)
- Crypto custody via Bitstamp with cold storage and insurance
- Offers in-house compliance/tax filing ($299/year after the first year)
IRA Financial Cons:
- Higher setup costs for checkbook control ($999 setup)
- Annual fees ($495) less appealing for smaller accounts
- Better fit for DIY investors comfortable sourcing their own deals
To learn more, read our IRA Financial Review.
Visit the IRA Financial website.
#3. Fidelity Crypto IRA
| Setup fee: | $0 |
| Maintenance fee: | $0 |
| Transaction fee: | 1% |
| Account minimum: | $0 |
| Cryptocurrencies available: | Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC) only |
| Account types: | Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, and Rollover IRA |
Fidelity’s entry into the crypto IRA space in 2025 was a major milestone for the industry. Through Fidelity Digital Assets®, investors can now buy and hold crypto directly in a tax-advantaged retirement account with the backing of one of the most established names.
Fidelity Crypto® IRAs support Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin only.
There are no account opening, maintenance, or custody fees. Instead, Fidelity charges an approximately 1% spread on each crypto buy and sell. Unlike some competitors, there are no monthly subscription costs.
Fidelity Digital Assets® provides cold storage custody, with most assets held offline and never lent out. Assets are custodied in omnibus wallets, with customer ownership tracked on Fidelity’s books. While crypto itself is not FDIC- or SIPC-insured, Fidelity offers its own Customer Protection Guarantee against unauthorized access.
Fidelity Crypto® IRAs are linked to a Fidelity brokerage IRA, which acts as the funding account and is required to open a Fidelity Crypto IRA. You can transfer or roll over funds into the brokerage IRA, then move them into the linked crypto IRA to trade.
Fidelity Crypto® IRA Pros:
- Backed by Fidelity
- No setup, custody, or maintenance fees; only ~1% trading spread
- Institutional-grade custody through Fidelity Digital Assets® (cold storage)
- Strong customer protection policies and 24/7 support
Fidelity Crypto® IRA Cons:
- Very limited crypto selection (BTC, ETH, LTC only)
- No staking, DeFi, or self-custody options
- Only available in 38 states
#4. Alto IRA
| Setup fee: | $0 |
| Maintenance fee: | $0 |
| Transaction fee: | 1% |
| Account minimum: | $10 |
| Cryptocurrencies available: | 250+ |
| Account types: | Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SEP IRA. |
When you open an Alto crypto IRA, Alto provides the account management features (such as IRS reporting) while Coinbase provides the crypto exchange and custodial services.
Alto’s partnership with Coinbase means you have access to the same wide selection of coins available on the Coinbase exchange.
Alto’s fee structure is one of the most straightforward among the crypto IRA providers on this list. The company doesn’t charge any maintenance fees, nor does it have a minimum investment requirement. Alto only charges a 1% cryptocurrency trading fee (which includes the Coinbase fee).
Alto IRA Pros:
- Low-minimums and no maintenance fees
- All cryptocurrency trading and custodial services happen through Coinbase.
- The platform gives you access to 250+ cryptocurrencies on Coinbase.
Alto IRA Cons:
- The company is a newcomer to the industry.
- Lower scores on third-party review sites (BBB/TrustPilot) than iTrustCapital
To learn more, check out our Alto IRA review.
#5. Rocket Dollar
| Setup fee: | $360 (Classic IRA) or $600 (Checkbook IRA/Solo 401(k)) |
| Maintenance fee: | $30/month (Classic) or $40/month (Checkbook/Solo 401(k)) |
| Transaction fee: | No Rocket Dollar trading fees; you pay exchange/platform fees directly |
| Account minimum: | $0 |
| Cryptocurrencies available: | Access to any crypto supported by the exchange you choose (e.g., Gemini, Kraken, Coinbase) |
| Account types: | Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA, Solo 401(k) |
Rocket Dollar is a self-directed retirement account provider that offers both a Classic plan (where transactions flow through a custodian) and a Gold plan (where they set up a retirement-owned LLC or trust, giving you “checkbook control”).
With checkbook control, you can invest directly in almost any asset allowed by the IRS, from crypto and real estate to startups and precious metals.
If you want to use Rocket Dollar for crypto, you can open exchange accounts in the name of your IRA LLC or Solo 401(k). This lets you trade on any platform that allows you to open an account under an LLC, and even use hardware wallets — giving you more control than most custodial crypto IRAs.
The trade-off is higher costs. The Classic plan costs $360 setup + $30/month, while Gold costs $600 setup + $40/month. Setup and funding can take several days to weeks depending on your custodian and state filings.
Rocket Dollar is best suited for experienced, hands-on investors who want self-custody, access to DeFi/staking, or the ability to combine crypto with other private investments. It’s less attractive for beginners or small balances, where the subscription fees eat into returns.
Rocket Dollar Pros:
- Supports multiple exchanges and even hardware wallets for crypto
- Offers Traditional, Roth, SEP, SIMPLE IRAs, and Solo 401(k)s
Rocket Dollar Cons:
- Higher setup and monthly costs, especially for smaller accounts
- Longer setup/funding timeline due to LLC formation
- Investors are responsible for wallet security and IRS compliance (e.g., UBTI, prohibited transactions)
- No additional compliance offerings
To learn more, read our Rocket Dollar Review.
#6. Bitcoin IRA
| Setup fee: | 1.99% of incoming funds |
| Maintenance fee: | 0.08% monthly (min $20) |
| Transaction fee: | 2% (includes spread) |
| Account minimum: | $1,000 |
| Cryptocurrencies available: | 80+ |
| Account types: | Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA. |
Bitcoin IRA was one of the earliest crypto IRA providers, launching in 2016. It has grown to serve more than 170,000 users and over $2 billion in transactions.
Assets are custodied with Digital Trust, a Nevada-chartered trust company, and secured by BitGo with multi-signature wallets, cold storage, and SOC 2 Type 2 certification.
Where Bitcoin IRA stands out is staking support.
Unlike most competitors, it allows you to earn rewards on Ethereum (ETH), Cardano (ADA), and Solana (SOL), with Polkadot coming soon.
That said, custodial staking inside an IRA remains a gray area from a tax perspective, and the platform’s high fees eat away at rewards. For example, between a 30% custodian fee, Coinbase’s 4–6% cut, and the platform’s $20/month minimum account fee, you need a significant balance staked just to break even.
Fees are the biggest drawback.
Between the setup charge, 2% trade fee, and ongoing maintenance costs, Bitcoin IRA is one of the most expensive options in this space. On a $15,000 account, first-year costs can exceed $700 versus about $150 at iTrustCapital. Even in later years, annual costs remain much higher than peers.
Bitcoin IRA Pros:
- Among the earliest and largest crypto IRA platforms
- Offers staking for ETH, ADA, and SOL (rare in this industry)
Bitcoin IRA Cons:
- Very high fees (setup, trading, and monthly)
- Staking rewards significantly reduced by platform fees
- Complex fee structure, less transparent than competitors
I don’t have a dedicated review of Bitcoin IRA, but you can learn more about the platform in my article on Bitcoin IRA vs. iTrustCapital.
Visit the Bitcoin IRA website.
#7. Choice by Kingdom Trust
| Setup fee: | $0 |
| Maintenance fee: | (1) No annual fee plan = $0. (2) Cold storage plan = 1% annually. (3) Hold Your Keys plan = $500 the first year, then $245 annually thereafter. |
| Transaction fee: | Up to 1.26% |
| Account minimum: | $0 |
| Cryptocurrencies available: | 50+ |
| Account types: | Traditional IRA, Roth IRA. |
Choice IRA is a self-directed individual retirement account custodian service from Kingdom Trust. It’s a low-fee platform specializing in crypto IRAs, but it also supports investments in traditional assets like stocks and ETFs.
With Choice IRA, you can open a traditional or Roth IRA that you can use to invest in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies through Kraken’s digital asset exchange. Retirement accounts at Choice can invest in around 50 different coins, with low fees that max out at 1.26%.
Customers can select from one of three account plans: No Annual Fee, Cold Storage and Hold Your Keys. The main difference between these plans is where your Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are held.
- For No Annual Fee subscribers, your cryptocurrencies are loaned out to earn revenue for the company (this revenue isn’t shared with you but does provide you the ability to trade for free).
- Assets in Cold Storage retirement accounts are held securely by Fidelity Digital Assets.
- Hold Your Keys account holders can manage their own coins through a cold storage solution provided by Casa.
However, Choice ranks last on our list due to significant regulatory violations. In 2023, FinCEN assessed Kingdom Trust a $1.5 million penalty for willful Bank Secrecy Act violations.
Read our Choice IRA Review.
Compare Top Crypto IRA Platforms
Looking to dive deeper into specific providers? We’ve published in-depth reviews and side-by-side comparisons to help you evaluate fees, features, and fit.
Explore the guides below to find the best crypto IRA for your needs:
- iTrustCapital Review
- IRA Financial Review
- Alto IRA Review
- Rocket Dollar Review
- Choice IRA Review (by Kingdom Trust)
- iTrustCapital vs. Bitcoin IRA
- Alto IRA vs. iTrustCapital
Best Cryptocurrency IRA Company: FAQs
A crypto IRA can be a good idea, but only as part of a broader and well-diversified retirement portfolio. The benefit of a crypto IRA is that it lets you invest in this rapidly growing asset class. Cryptocurrencies are highly speculative and carry significant risk, but research from Yale has shown that a 1-6% allocation of crypto in your retirement portfolio can help increase returns while reducing overall risk. For more details, see our in-depth guide: How Crypto IRAs Work.
No, you can’t transfer crypto directly into an IRA. According to the IRS, contributions (except for rollover contributions from a different crypto IRA) to an IRA must be made in cash. Since the IRS views cryptocurrencies as property (not cash), you can’t use them to directly fund a retirement account.
Coinbase doesn’t directly offer an IRA. But a crypto IRA account from Alto lets you trade crypto through Coinbase’s exchange, giving you access to all the tokens available on Coinbase.
Great article! Thanks! I’m wondering if the recent issues in the crypto space (insolvencies, bad lending, etc.) has led you to change the weights of your factors in these analyses? For example, if I’m considering Choice vs Unchained or iTrust, I’m now going to focus on who is doing the custody services for those companies (Casa, Solera, and Curv, respectively). I’m also going to dig more into the founders and company managers.
I feel that’s certainly a good strategy on your end.
While I never liked the “free” crypto option from Choice, it’s something I’d stay far away from with the recent events.
I have never heard of Unchained. Will check them out.
THanks for the reply! I agree about the free version dangers from Choice. I think I’ll sign up though just for the free sats in the Blinko game lol
There you go! ( :