Bitcoin has stormed into 2025 with undeniable momentum. The original cryptocurrency not only shattered its previous records set last year, but also climbed to all time highs in July 2025 after gaining long-awaited institutional validation when the SEC approved spot Bitcoin ETFs.
With crypto now squarely in the mainstream and retirement-minded investors seeking growth, Bitcoin IRAs are becoming an increasingly attractive option.
A Bitcoin IRA allows you to hold cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin inside a tax-advantaged retirement account. The benefits, outside of the potential for high growth, include tax efficiency, and portfolio diversification. But, the provider you choose matters. Security, fees, asset options, and user experience vary widely. Here are six of the best Bitcoin IRAs available today, each with a distinct strength to help match your investment priorities.
Quick Look: Best Bitcoin IRA Companies
Best for Audit Protection: IRA Financial
IRA Financial stands out for one major promise; IRS audit protection. If your account ever gets audited, they’ll back you up every step of the way. That peace of mind is rare in the self-directed IRA (SDIRA) space.
The South Dakota-chartered trust company supports crypto, real estate, private equity, precious metals, and more, which can be ideal for investors seeking broad diversification. Its flat annual fee (around $500) covers tax support, compliance help, and setup with checkbook control if desired. You don’t pay per trade or per asset, which benefits high-value investors.
IRA Financial is best for investors who want full autonomy over alternative assets without worrying about tax traps or administrative headaches.
Best Overall Bitcoin IRA: iTrustCapital
iTrustCapital has quickly become the market leader in crypto IRAs, and for good reason. The platform is user-friendly, fee-transparent, and institutionally secure. With over $11 billion in total transaction volume and 200,000+ accounts, it’s one of the largest players in the game.
You can trade 24/7 inside a tax-advantaged account (Traditional, Roth, SEP, or SIMPLE IRA), with support for 30+ cryptocurrencies and physical gold/silver. There are no monthly fees, just a 1% transaction fee on trades.
Security is tight, as assets are held with Fidelity Digital Assets and Fortis Bank, kept in cold storage and fully segregated. The Coinbase Prime integration ensures deep liquidity, and the mobile platform makes real-time trading easy.
iTrustCapital is our top pick with a strong mix of low cost, ease of use, and robust protections.
Best for Low Fees: Equity Trust
Founded in 1974, Equity Trust is a veteran self-directed IRA custodian. It’s ideal for investors who want to mix crypto with other alternatives like real estate or precious metals, all under one roof.
Crypto trades incur a 2% buy fee and 1% sell fee, but there are no percentage-of-assets charges. Instead, you pay a set annual fee based on your account value, which can save you money as your portfolio grows.
The platform isn’t as slick as some crypto-native firms, and its supported coins are limited. But it’s an established, regulated institution with $65+ billion in custody, offering credibility and conservative fee structures for experienced retirement investors.
Best for Beginners: Coin IRA
If you’re new to crypto or self-directed investing, Coin IRA offers a smooth on-ramp. The team behind it has been helping investors with alternative assets since 2017 and has built a platform that emphasizes customer service.
There’s 24/7 live chat support, guided onboarding, and an optional taxable crypto account for those who want to test the waters. Client assets are kept in insured cold storage through Ledger Enterprise, with no monthly or custodial fees, just trading commissions around 1.25% on buys.
The asset selection is curated to major coins, and the platform caters to education-minded investors. With a $5,000 minimum, it’s best for those ready to make a serious first step.
Best for Account Security: Bitcoin IRA
Bitcoin IRA was one of the first crypto retirement platforms and remains unmatched in insurance and security. It partners with BitGo to provide multi-signature cold storage wallets with up to $700 million in insurance coverage, the highest in the industry.
Its platform supports over 75 digital assets, along with gold, and includes an intuitive dashboard, mobile trading, and an OTC desk for large trades. Fees are higher than average: around 2% for trades plus setup and custody fees. But you’re paying for premium protection and white-glove support.
This is the go-to choice for investors who want military-grade security and don’t mind a higher price tag to sleep soundly.
Best for Investment Selection: Alto IRA
Alto IRA is the most flexible platform on this list, letting you invest in 200+ cryptocurrencies via a Coinbase integration. If you’d like to add private equity, real estate, or even fine wine to your IRA, Alto can facilitate that too.
With a $10 minimum to start and a flat 1% trading fee, Alto offers unmatched accessibility. Assets are stored with Coinbase, which uses a mix of hot and cold storage with crime insurance.
The platform doesn’t provide advice or deep research tools. It’s for confident investors who want ultimate control over what they buy. For maximum variety at a low cost, Alto is tough to beat.
What is a Bitcoin IRA?
A Bitcoin IRA is simply a self-directed IRA that holds cryptocurrency instead of traditional assets. You get the same tax benefits as a regular IRA (tax-deferred growth with Traditional accounts or tax-free growth with Roth IRAs) but you can invest in digital assets like Bitcoin.
Instead of buying crypto in a taxable exchange account, you buy it within your retirement account, which allows gains to grow without capital gains tax eating away at returns.
How Does a Bitcoin IRA Work?
You open an account with a crypto IRA provider, fund it via contribution or rollover, and place trades through their platform. Assets are held in custody with third-party partners in cold storage.
Most providers offer support for rollovers from IRAs, 401(k)s, TSPs, and other qualified plans. You maintain all the typical IRA rules: early withdrawal penalties, required minimum distributions, etc.
Pros and Cons of Bitcoin IRAs
Pros:
- Tax-deferred or tax-free growth on crypto assets
- Portfolio diversification
- 24/7 trading in a fast-moving market
- Secure custody and insurance from trusted providers
Cons:
- Higher fees than traditional IRAs
- Evolving regulatory environment
- Early withdrawal penalties apply
- More complex than standard retirement accounts
Which Bitcoin IRA is Right for You?
Choosing the best provider depends on your goals:
- Want top-notch security? Bitcoin IRA.
- Need low fees and simple trading? iTrustCapital or Alto.
- Just getting started? Coin IRA.
- Want to combine Bitcoin with real estate? Equity Trust or IRA Financial.
A Bitcoin IRA won’t be right for everyone. But for long-term investors with high risk tolerance and a belief in crypto’s staying power, it offers a compelling way to diversify retirement savings and harness tax-advantaged growth. As Bitcoin continues to mature, more investors are looking to “hodl” for the long haul, and these platforms help make that possible.
Disclosure: Cryptocurrency is offered by eToro USA LLC (“the MSB”) (NMLS:
1769299) and is not FDIC or SIPC insured. Investing involves risk
Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest.
This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected
if something goes wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions
A
Yes, if you use a reputable provider. Leading platforms store assets in insured cold storage with regulated custodians and have years of incident-free track records.
A
Yes. Most providers support rollovers from employer-sponsored plans, including 401(k), 403(b), and TSP accounts. This process is usually tax-free.
A
Not typically. Most crypto IRAs focus on capital appreciation, not yield. If a provider does offer interest, it’s usually through lending or staking programs and may carry added risk.
