iTrustCapital provides a platform for buying and selling crypto, gold, and silver within tax-advantaged IRAs.
This iTrustCapital review explains how the company’s self-directed IRAs work, including fees, account minimums, security provisions, and how it compares to competitors.
iTrustCapital provides a straightforward, affordable platform for adding cryptocurrencies and precious metals to IRAs. Its competitive 1% transaction fee on crypto with no account fees, solid security, and support for major coins makes it stand out among self-directed crypto IRA providers. For basic tax-advantaged buy-and-hold crypto and metals exposure, iTrustCapital is a solid choice. Active investors may prefer competitors with more coins.
- Low 1% crypto transaction fee.
- No account setup or monthly fees.
- Can transfer existing crypto held within an IRA “in-kind”.
- $500 minimum for additional contributions.
- $1,000 minimum to open an account.
Video Summary: My Take on iTrustCapital
Prefer watching instead of reading? In this video, I walk through how iTrustCapital’s crypto IRA platform works, including fees, supported assets, and key trade-offs versus competitors.
iTrustCapital at a Glance
| Transaction fees: | 1% fee for buying and selling crypto. |
| Monthly fees: | No monthly account or maintenance fees. |
| IRA types: | Roth, traditional and SEP. |
| Minimum investment: | $1,000 to open and $500 for additional contributions. |
| Cryptocurrencies: | 90+ available. |
Market Access: | 24/7 platform. |
| Promotions: | $100 Funding bonus |
How an iTrustCapital Crypto IRA Works
The IRS has few restrictions on what types of assets can be held within an IRA, with exceptions like art and life insurance.
While most mainstream brokerages limit IRA investment options to stocks, bonds, funds and cash, investors can open a self-directed IRA (SDIRA) to invest in a much wider array of assets.
By using an SDIRA structure and a software platform like iTrustCapital, investors can hold these alternative assets in a tax-advantaged account despite the limitations of traditional IRA providers.
After creating your account with iTrustCapital (and selecting the type of IRA you’d like to open), you’re able to fund your account in a few ways:
- Direct IRA transfer. Transfer assets from an existing IRA into your new iTrustCapital IRA.
- 401(k) or employer plan rollover. If you have 401(k) funds from a previous employer you haven’t consolidated into an IRA yet, you can rollover those funds to an iTrustCapital IRA.
- New cash contributions. Deposit new funds via bank wire or check. Keep in mind that you must stay within the annual IRA contribution limits.
- “In-Kind” IRA transfer. Transfer crypto from an existing crypto IRA to iTrustCapital “in-kind”, meaning you don’t have to liquidate your holdings to USD.
You need a minimum of $1,000 of funds transferred or cash deposited to open an account.
While you can make an in-kind transfer of cryptocurrency from one IRA provider to another without selling, you cannot transfer cryptocurrencies held in a regular taxable account or a private wallet into an IRA without selling them first.
Note: If you have certain cryptocurrencies on an exchange or in a private wallet and want to use iTrustCapital’s platform, you can open a Premium Custody Account (taxable crypto account).
Because IRAs only allow cash transfers, selling cryptocurrency outside an IRA could trigger taxable gains.
Once your assets are transferred to iTrustCapital, they’ll be available in your account within one to two weeks.
Buying & Selling Cryptocurrencies on iTrustCapital
iTrustCapital allows clients to buy and sell dozens of crypto assets (90+) 24/7, anytime, anywhere.
The selection includes popular coins like:
- Bitcoin (BTC)
- Ethereum (ETH)
- Solana (SOL)
- XRP (XRP)
- Sui (SUI)
- Cardano (ADA)
- Litecoin (LTC)
- Chainlink (LINK)
- Hedera (HBAR)
You can place buy or sell orders 24/7.
With its expanded selection of over 90 cryptocurrencies—very similar to what you’d find on Bitcoin IRA—iTrustCapital now serves a broader range of investors. The platform is still ideal for passive investors focused on blue-chip assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum, yet it now also offers the opportunity to explore smaller or mid-cap crypto assets.
Its straightforward 1% transaction fee makes recurring investments cost-effective, allowing you to use a dollar-cost averaging strategy without high fees.
iTrustCapital Gold and Silver IRAs
iTrustCapital offers access to investment-grade gold and silver through VaultChain, a system that uses blockchain technology to track ownership.
The metals are stored at the Royal Canadian Mint, and transactions are executed through Kitco Metals, a well-known precious metals dealer.
Gold and silver can be bought and sold 24/7 on the iTrustCapital platform. While the blockchain provides added transparency, users should note that they do not take physical possession of the metals.
The fees for buying and selling gold and silver are:
- Gold: $125 per ounce above the spot price for both purchases and sales.
- Silver: $3.95 per ounce above the spot price when buying, and $1.50 per ounce above the spot price when selling.
Analysis: Compared to specialty precious metals IRAs, such as industry leader Augusta Precious Metals, iTrustCapital provides much lower account minimums but fewer metal options. Augusta requires a $50,000 minimum purchase for gold or silver, whereas iTrustCapital only has a $1,000 minimum to open an account. However, Augusta offers platinum and palladium in addition to gold and silver.
So while iTrustCapital has much lower minimums, Augusta caters more to dedicated precious metals investors who can shift at least $50,000 of existing retirement assets into precious metals and want more options to invest in.
Staking Cryptocurrency to Earn Rewards
iTrustCapital now allows staking of Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL) within your IRA account, enabling you to earn rewards while holding crypto in a tax-advantaged account.
Staking is the process of locking up crypto to help validate transactions on proof-of-stake blockchains. In return, you receive rewards — typically paid in the same asset. It’s a way to generate passive income on your holdings without leaving the security of your IRA.
Here’s how staking works with iTrustCapital:
- Buy ETH or SOL: Once your iTrustCapital account is funded, you can purchase Ethereum or Solana directly through the platform.
- Stake with one click: You can stake your crypto directly inside your account, with iTrustCapital handling the validator operations securely through its custody partners.
- Earn rewards automatically: Rewards accrue over time and are automatically credited to your IRA balance. You can choose to unstake at any time, subject to each network’s lock-up period.
Currently, iTrustCapital supports ETH and SOL staking, with additional assets expected in the future. Rewards are paid out in the same token and start accruing immediately after staking. While specific yields aren’t listed (since they fluctuate by network conditions), rewards are net of iTrustCapital’s 22% service fee.
Compared to competitors, this feature is still uncommon. Bitcoin IRA is one of the few other platforms offering staking inside an IRA, with support for Ethereum (ETH), Cardano (ADA), and Solana (SOL). However, it charges higher fees — roughly 30% custodian fees plus 4–6% Coinbase fees — along with monthly maintenance costs starting at $20.
For most investors, iTrustCapital’s lower costs and simplicity make it the better fit for staking major assets like Ethereum and Solana. If you specifically want to stake Cardano (ADA), Bitcoin IRA is the only option — but it comes at a higher price. See our full comparison of iTrustCapital vs. Bitcoin IRA for more info.
iTrustCapital Fees and Account Minimums
One of the biggest advantages of iTrustCapital is its straightforward, competitive pricing structure.
There are no common fees like:
- Account setup costs.
- Monthly account maintenance charges.
- Fees for storing physical gold/silver bars.
The only fee on crypto assets is a 1% transaction cost whenever you buy or sell cryptocurrencies in your IRA.
There are no commissions or premiums when buying and selling physical gold/silver beyond the built-in processing fees.
Analysis: The 1% crypto transaction fee is reasonable but can hinder those who frequently buy and sell larger amounts.
Their free structure is very similar to competitor Alto IRA, which charges no annual fee but a 1% transaction fee when buying or selling cryptocurrencies.
Choice IRA,offers two account structures. One includes self-custody with monthly fees, and the other provides cold storage with a 1% annual account fee but no trading fees. Read our Choice IRA review to learn more.
How iTrustCapital Compares to Other Crypto IRA Providers
Founded in 2018, iTrustCapital was among the first dedicated crypto IRA investing platforms. But the space has grown more competitive as crypto IRAs gain popularity.
iTrustCapital vs. Bitcoin IRA
Compared to Bitcoin IRA, iTrustCapital is far more cost-effective.
Bitcoin IRA charges a 1.99% setup fee, a 2% trading fee, and monthly maintenance fees starting at $20.
iTrustCapital has no setup or monthly fees and a 1% fee per transaction.
For long-term investors planning to hold major assets like Bitcoin or Ethereum, these savings add up quickly, especially in the first year.
Both platforms now support staking, but iTrustCapital offers it at a lower cost. Unless you specifically need to stake Cardano (ADA) or require SIMPLE IRA support, iTrustCapital’s lower fees and streamlined setup make it the better fit for most retirement-focused crypto investors.
For a detailed breakdown of fees, features, and investor fit, see our full comparison of iTrustCapital vs. Bitcoin IRA.
iTrustCapital vs. Alto IRA
Compared to iTrustCapital, Alto IRA offers a lower minimum investment and lower minimums for additional contributions.
Alto only requires a $10 minimum to open an account and start trading, versus iTrustCapital’s $1,000 minimum.
This makes it more accessible for smaller investors. Alto also has no minimum for subsequent contributions, providing more flexibility.
The 1% crypto transaction fee matches iTrustCapital’s.
A key advantage is Alto IRA supports investing in any cryptocurrency available on Coinbase (which is over 200 coins), compared to iTrustCapital’s 90+.
See our Alto IRA review to learn more.
Or, read our full breakdown of iTrustCapital vs. Alto IRA.
iTrustCapital vs. Other Alternatives
For very experienced investors, Rocket Dollar and IRA Financial stand out as alternatives because both offer true checkbook control.
This structure lets your IRA own an LLC or Solo 401(k), allowing you to trade crypto through an exchange account in the LLC’s name or even hold assets in a private wallet. While this level of control is unique in the IRA space and appealing to serious investors, it also adds a heavy compliance burden and comes with high setup and ongoing costs.
For most people, simpler custodial models are a better fit, but for those who want maximum flexibility, these two platforms are worth considering.
For more information, see our reviews on IRA Financial and RocketDollar.
Choice IRA has a 1% annual account fee for cold storage and a 1% transaction fee. One unique aspect is the ability to invest in stocks, ETFs and other assets through Integration with Interactive Brokers. However, they have also dealt with some recent compliance concerns. Read our Choice IRA review for a full analysis.
Security: Is iTrustCapital Safe for Retirement Accounts?
iTrustCapital works with qualified custodians including Fortis Bank to hold client assets in individual retirement accounts for each client’s benefit. The company recently launched iTrust Custodial Services, a subsidiary that acts as agent and administrator for their custodian partners.
The institutional storage providers store crypto assets within a fully secure, audited, and regularly stress-tested institutional environment using Cold Storage, MPC, and HSM.
Physical gold and silver bars are stored at the Royal Canadian Mint’s vaults. The metals are not mixed with company operating funds.
Like most self-directed IRA providers, iTrustCapital is not an SEC regulated entity, but works with state-chartered trust companies.
Who is iTrustCapital Best For?
First things first: crypto IRAs should only be considered if you’re on track for your retirement goals with traditional assets, such as index funds. Before deciding, make sure you understand how Crypto IRAs work.
Crypto is extremely risky, and you shouldn’t be betting your retirement on the asset itself.
Once you’ve secured your retirement basics, iTrustCapital ranks as a top crypto IRA platform worth considering.
Personally, I moved my crypto from Choice, which used to be free but now charges a 1% annual maintenance fee, to iTrustCapital. I wanted a platform where I could set it and forget it without worrying about monthly charges.
The in-kind transfer process was very straightforward. To give credit where it’s due, moving funds from Choice wasn’t difficult either, and they had proper security protocols in place.
That said, iTrustCapital provided consistent communication throughout. The entire process took 13 days, with only a 24 to 48-hour window where the funds were not invested. Fortunately, the market didn’t move much during that time.
What stood out to me were the 1% transaction fee and the absence of monthly maintenance charges, which are major advantages. The crypto IRA space is known for surprisingly high fees from some providers, so doing your homework really matters.
Bottom line: iTrustCapital’s low-cost structure makes it a strong choice compared to much of the competition.
What is the insurance on funds deposited into itrustcapital account. Details and process that occurs if my account is attacked and money is stolen
Good question. Looking at their FAQ, coverage amounts aren’t disclosed. However, the platform uses offline cold storage that prevents hackers from draining accounts even if login credentials are compromised. Without external wallets connecting to the cold storage, there’s no way for hackers to transfer your funds out. The platform only allows authorized transactions through their controlled internal processes.
While this setup provides better protection than typical crypto platforms, no system is completely immune to sophisticated attacks. But this would definitely be very hard – thieves would need to breach a large custodial service like Coinbase, your iTrust account, and then get through their internal processes.