Both iTrustCapital and Bitcoin IRA allow you to invest in cryptocurrency through a self-directed IRA held with a qualified custodian. They’re two of the most popular options featured in my guide to the best crypto IRA accounts.
While they seem similar at first glance, the two platforms have important differences.
This guide starts with a quick comparison table of the core details, then explains why those differences matter and which type of investor each platform is best for.
While both companies offer additional features, this comparison centers on their core self-directed crypto IRA and other tax-advantaged products.
Sections include:
- Fee Comparison
- Crypto Staking Options
- Supported Account Types
- Security and Custody Measures
- Final Thoughts and Recommendations
iTrustCapital vs Bitcoin IRA: Key Facts
| Feature | iTrustCapital | Bitcoin IRA |
| Account Minimum | $1,000.00 | $1,000.00 |
| Minimum Transaction Amount | $500 | $10 |
| Available IRA Types | Roth, Traditional, and SEP IRA | Traditional, Roth, SEP, and SIMPLE |
| Staking Support | Yes – SOL and ETH staking available inside IRAs (more coming soon) | Yes — supports Ethereum, Cardano, and Solana (Polkadot coming soon). |
| Custody | Assets custodied through Fortis Trust, with institutional storage provided by Coinbase Custody and Fireblocks. | Assets held with Digital Trust LLC, a regulated Nevada-chartered trust company |
| Market Access | 24/7 access to the markets | 24/7 access to the markets |
| Setup Fees | None | 1.99% of incoming funds |
| Transaction Fees | 1% transaction fee (plus the bid-ask spread) | 2% trade fee (includes all transaction costs, including spread) |
| Fees – Maintenance | None | 0.08% monthly (minimum $20/month) |
iTrustCapital vs. Bitcoin IRA Fees: Which Platform Costs Less?
Key Point: iTrustCapital’s 1% transaction fee is more competitive and cost-efficient.
Analysis: Bitcoin IRA charges a 2% trading fee, a 1.99% account setup fee, and monthly maintenance fees starting at $20.
By contrast, iTrustCapital has no setup, monthly, or annual account fees. You’ll pay a 1% fee per transaction, whether buying or selling.
iTrustCapital sources pricing from third-party liquidity providers, meaning there is a bid-ask spread built into the execution price. While iTrustCapital does not disclose exact spreads, third-party tests suggest that spreads on major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum typically stay under 0.20%. Spreads may be wider on smaller, less liquid assets.
Bitcoin IRA states that its 2% trading fee includes all exchange-related costs, including spread and execution.
This might matter if you are planning to buy or sell lesser-known cryptocurrencies, since those tend to have wider spreads. But for most long-term investors who stick with major assets, the difference is usually minimal.
Read my full iTrustCapital review for a more detailed breakdown of how it works.
Can You Earn Interest or Staking Rewards with a Crypto IRA?
Key Point: Both iTrustCapital and Bitcoin IRA offer crypto staking — a feature that’s still uncommon among many crypto IRA providers. iTrustCapital, however, charges lower fees, giving it the edge for most investors.
Analysis: Few crypto IRA platforms let you earn staking rewards inside a tax-advantaged account. Both iTrustCapital and Bitcoin IRA are exceptions.
Bitcoin IRA supports Ethereum (ETH), Cardano (ADA), and Solana (SOL), with Polkadot (DOT) coming soon.
iTrustCapital supports Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL) staking directly within IRAs.
| Feature | iTrustCapital | Bitcoin IRA |
| Assets Supported for Staking | SOL and ETH only | ETH, ADA, SOL (DOT coming soon) |
| Fee on Staking Rewards | 22% net of fees (already deducted) | 30% (custodian) + 4–6% (Coinbase) |
For most investors, iTrustCapital’s simpler structure and lower costs make it the better fit. Bitcoin IRA’s broader staking menu is useful only in specific cases — for example, if you’re set on staking Cardano (ADA) and are willing to pay higher fees to do it.
Both platforms use custodial staking, meaning they handle validator operations and distribute rewards within your IRA. This approach avoids the risk of triggering unrelated business income tax (UBIT), though the IRS hasn’t yet provided definitive guidance on staking rewards inside retirement accounts.
In short, if you want to stake major assets like ETH or SOL, iTrustCapital now offers the same opportunity as Bitcoin IRA — at a fraction of the cost.
What Types of Retirement Accounts Do iTrustCapital and Bitcoin IRA Support?
Key Point: Bitcoin IRA supports a broader range of IRA types, including Traditional, Roth, SEP, and SIMPLE IRAs. iTrustCapital currently offers Traditional, Roth, and SEP IRAs, and also provides taxable crypto accounts through its Premium Custody Accounts.
Analysis: Bitcoin IRA does support SIMPLE IRAs, which are designed for small businesses and self-employed individuals who want to contribute as both employer and employee. This can be useful in certain cases, such as when a solo business owner wants to offer retirement benefits and invest in crypto.
Still, it’s a relatively uncommon scenario. Most people looking to invest in crypto through a retirement account are doing so with a self-directed Traditional or Roth IRA. And while Bitcoin IRA references 401(k) plans on its site, it does not offer a way to open and fund a new 401(k). Instead, it helps you roll over an existing 401(k) into one of its supported IRA types.
Beyond retirement accounts, iTrustCapital also offers taxable crypto investing through its Premium Custody Account—a secure, U.S.-based account designed for everyday crypto trading with institutional-grade storage, 24/7 access, no monthly fees, and support for a wide range of assets. The platform also allows you to invest in precious metals like gold and silver. See our top-rated gold IRA providers here
Is iTrustCapital or Bitcoin IRA More Secure?
Key point: Both companies take security seriously.
Analysis: iTrustCapital secures client assets through Coinbase Custody and Fireblocks, two of the most trusted institutional storage providers in the crypto industry. Assets are stored entirely offline in cold storage and cannot be moved without passing through multiple internal authorization steps.
The institutional storage providers store crypto assets within a fully secure, audited, and regularly stress-tested institutional environment using Cold Storage, MPC, and HSM.
Bitcoin IRA uses BitGo, another respected custodian, and promotes its use of multi-signature wallets, offline storage, and video verification for identity checks.
The platform is SOC 2 Type 2 certified, reflecting strong standards for data integrity and internal controls.
iTrustCapital vs. Bitcoin IRA: Which One Is Better for You?
With no setup or monthly fees and a simple 1% transaction fee, it’s one of the most cost-efficient ways to invest in crypto for retirement.
By comparison, Bitcoin IRA’s costs add up fast — a 1.99% setup fee, a 2% trading fee, and ongoing maintenance fees starting at $20 per month. On a $15,000 portfolio, that’s more than $700 in fees the first year versus about $150 with iTrustCapital. Even in year two, assuming a $5,000 contribution:
- Bitcoin IRA: roughly $340 in fees
- iTrustCapital: roughly $50
Both platforms now support staking inside an IRA, which is still rare in this space. iTrustCapital allows staking for Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL), while Bitcoin IRA adds support for Cardano (ADA) and charges higher staking and account fees.
For nearly all long-term investors focused on major assets like Bitcoin or Ethereum, iTrustCapital’s lower costs and simplicity make it the clear winner.
If you specifically want to stake ADA or need SIMPLE IRA access, Bitcoin IRA could still make sense — but the extra features come at a higher price.
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