Traditional individual retirement accounts (IRAs) are a great way to provide future financial security. However, as global markets become increasingly volatile, some investors are looking to diversify their IRAs with alternative assets, including Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Because Bitcoin is a digital rather than tangible asset, cryptocurrency IRAs require specialized management, greater protection of sensitive data, and deep expertise in cryptocurrency trading. The best Bitcoin IRA companies have a strong track record and offer transparent fee structures, low costs, and robust security measures. Additionally, partnerships with reputable custodians and insurers add an extra layer of protection. For cost-conscious investors, iTrustCapital offers the industry's best rates and fees. Investors looking for strong insurance for their digital assets will find what they need in Bitcoin IRA's offering. Coin IRA offers the best investor experience, while BitIRA delivers the best security measures. Finally, Equity Trust rounds out our list as the best platform for self-directed investments. Best Bitcoin IRA Companies for September 2024 Best Bitcoin IRA Companies for September 2024 The Bottom Line Compare Bitcoin IRA Providers Frequently Asked Questions Methodology Receive a $100 reward when you create and fund an account with iTrustCapital. Why We Chose It iTrustCapital makes it easy for both novice and expert investors to start a Bitcoin IRA with expert consultants and transparent pricing, making it our choice for the best rates and fees in Bitcoin IRAs. Pros & Cons Pros Low account and trading fees $1,000 minimum investment 24/7 trading Cons No financial advisors on staff Overview Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Irvine, California, iTrustCapital lets individuals buy and trade cryptocurrencies, silver, and gold in real time through their retirement accounts. The company has the lowest service and trade fees we’ve come across, placing it in the top spot for best rates and fees. iTrustCapital offers some of the most affordable trading and investing fees. Though paying up to 15% per transaction to trade cryptocurrencies is not uncommon, iTrustCapital charges just 1% per transaction. There is no monthly fee, and clients are charged no initial purchase fees, broker fees, or scaling based on the size of their assets. iTrustCapital allows clients to trade in 34 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ripple, and EOS any time of day or night using its 24-hour transaction service. There is only a $1,000 minimum to start an account and a $30 trade minimum. iTrustCapital also lets its clients diversify their IRA portfolios with gold and silver while enjoying the low fees. On Feb 16, 2023, iTrustCapital announced its strategic partnership with a third-party Qualified Custodian, Fortress Trust Company for the custody of its assets including cryptocurrencies and precious metals like Gold and Silver. Deposits are insured as per the maximum limit permitted by the FDIC. New customer? Sign up today and earn a $125 reward upon funding your account. Why We Chose It Bitcoin IRA is a full-service Bitcoin IRA provider offering 24/7 trading, secure cold storage for digital assets, and $700 million of insurance protection. Pros & Cons Pros Easy setup and trading Secure offline digital asset storage Digital assets insured up to $700 million Cons High setup and maintenance fees Overview With headquarters in Sherman Oaks,California, Bitcoin IRA was established in 2016 as the first and largest cryptocurrency IRA company that lets individuals invest in cryptocurrency with their retirement accounts. The platform’s easy account setup and management, 24/7 real-time trading, and military-grade security features are at the core of the offering. Bitcoin IRA makes it easy to create an IRA account and digital wallet in just a few minutes using its app or web dashboard. When funds are transferred to an account, users can begin trading within three to five days and can buy, sell, and trade online any time of day or night. Bitcoin IRA supports trading 60+ types of cryptocurrency, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Cardano, and Litecoin. Although the minimum to open a standard account is $3,000, the company offers a Saver IRA that requires an initial deposit of $100 with a recurring investment of $100 per month through a linked bank account. Bitcoin IRA also takes security seriously. The platform offers 256-bit encrypted SSL trading, stores digital assets offline in separate cold storage accounts, and insures its digital assets up to $700 million. Bitcoin IRA charges a custodian fee, a security fee, and a one-time service fee, but it requires potential investors to contact a customer service representative for specific numbers. Why We Chose It BitIRA offers Bitcoin IRAs with end-to-end insurance coverage for digital assets and true offline cold storage of private keys, placing it in the top position as the best for security. Pros & Cons Pros Digital assets are kept in guarded offline storage End-to-end insurance coverage for digital assets Multi-encryption encoding for transactions Cons Must open accounts with a digital currency specialist Overview Though only established in 2017, BitIRA has made a name for itself by offering the highest levels of security for both cryptocurrency transactions and storage, backed by end-to-end insurance coverage, making it our choice as the best for security. Headquartered in Burbank,California, BitIRA uses multi-encryption encoding for transactions to keep them secure while they’re most vulnerable online. When completed, transactions are moved to physical keys kept offline inside grade-5 nuclear bunkers protected by armed guards and computer security specialists 24/7. BitIRA is so confident in its security measures that it covers all digital assets "end-to-end," meaning that your crypto is insured from transit to storage. Your crypto is insured against hacking or theft, internal theft or embezzlement, damage, or physical loss. BitIRA requires a minimum investment amount of $5,000 to start an IRA and requires customers to work with a digital currency specialist to open an account. The company allows clients to invest and trade in multiple cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, and Litecoin. BitIRA doesn’t list its fees on its website. Why We Chose It Equity Trust has been managing self-directed IRAs for over 40 years with both traditional and alternative investments and no transaction fees, placing it in our top spot as the best for self-directed investments. Pros & Cons Pros Over 40 years of experience in self-directed IRAs Supports traditional and alternative investments No transaction fees Cons High administration fees Must open accounts with a representative Overview As a financial services company established in Westlake, Ohio in 1974, Equity Trust branched into self-directed IRAs (SDIRAs) in 1983. The company’s extensive expertise in traditional and alternative investments, no transaction fees, and personal guidance make it our top choice as the best for self-directed investments. Clients will need to speak to a representative directly in order to start an Equity Trust SDIRA. When an account is open, clients can trade in up to eight cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin, with no fees and a one-day settlement. Equity Trust also takes security seriously, employing over six security features, including multi-factor authentication, multi-encryption, and secure cold storage. The company also offers end-to-end insurance on its digital assets. Equity Trust offers its clients access to SDIRA specialists who can help them manage their accounts as well as educational tools to help them understand their investment options. The company also offers a dashboard to its clients for handling transactions, requiring them to issue directions to an account specialist to invest funds from their accounts. The company charges annual administration fees between $225 to $2,250 depending on the size of the account as well as a $50 setup fee. Why We Chose It Coin IRA provides education on the process of establishing and funding accounts and offers low fees, placing it first for the best investor experience. Pros & Cons Pros Low fees Cons No longer offers varied wallet options No cryptocurrency consultants are available Overview Headquartered in Woodland Hills, CA, and founded in 2017, Coin IRA's low fees and customer education make it our choice for the best investor experience. Coin IRA helps individuals get started with its free "How to Add Bitcoin and Other Cryptocurrencies to a Crypto IRA" resource, which educates readers on the investment benefits of cryptocurrency IRAs, how to convert existing retirement accounts to invest in cryptocurrencies, and more. From there, the company offers specialized cryptocurrency retirement experts who can walk customers through the process of setting up an account. Coin IRA supports investment and trading in Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and more. Assets are held in cold storage, off balance sheet, in the name of Equity Trust for the benefit of each specific account holder. Coin IRA’s minimum investment is $5,000 to open a cryptocurrency IRA or $5,000 if funds are transferred from a non-IRA account. The company has confirmed there is no fee to set up the account, no annual or monthly maintenance fees, and no charge for insured cold storage for account holders’ digital assets. As more firms allow their clients to add alternative assets like Bitcoin to their IRAs, understanding which ones offer the best expertise, security, and support can be tricky. In the end, companies with deep expertise in managing both traditional and digital assets are the ones who can future-proof their clients’ retirements. Bitcoin IRA is the best for insuring digital assets. Coin IRA is our pick for the best investor experience. iTrustCapital wins for the best rates and fees. BitIRA aced the test for our security category. And Equity Trust closes out our list as the best for self-directed investments. In the News Investopedia collected and analyzed several key data points from many companies that offer Bitcoin IRAs across three months to identify the most critical factors for readers choosing a Bitcoin IRA. We used this data to review each company for transaction fees, account minimums, and other features to provide an unbiased and comprehensive review to ensure our readers make the right decision for their needs. Investopedia launched in 1999, and has been helping readers find the best Bitcoin IRA companies since March of 2021. Individuals can diversify their IRAs with investments in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies. Because the IRS considers Bitcoin property, taxing it like stocks and bonds, account holders need custodians to manage their IRAs. Account holders can also trade cryptocurrency on their platforms and store their digital assets securely online or in off-site storage. Security and fees are two of the most important criteria for choosing a Bitcoin IRA company. Because cryptocurrency isn’t backed by any fiat currency, investors whose accounts get hacked risk losing everything. And many firms charge high fees, potentially cutting into the profitability of investments. It’s also important to choose a company with dedicated experience in managing IRAs and not just cryptocurrencies. Some would say that the uncertainty of cryptocurrency makes Bitcoin IRAs inherently risky. To this end, firms that offer multiple layers of transaction encoding and security features, a variety of cryptocurrency choices for investing, and offline cold storage can provide the most security. The main advantage of Bitcoin IRAs is that they add diversification to retirement portfolios to both mitigate risk and maximize potential returns. Including digital currencies in some types of retirement accounts can also help investors avoid heavy capital gains taxes. A Bitcoin IRA company enables individuals to invest in cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin, within their Individual Retirement Account (IRA). These companies provide custodial services to securely manage digital assets, often utilizing advanced security measures. By offering platforms for buying, holding, and selling cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin IRA companies help investors incorporate cryptocurrencies into their retirement portfolios, aiming for potential growth while benefiting from IRA tax advantages. We looked at nearly a dozen Bitcoin IRAs for this review. Our first consideration was to find companies with deep experience in managing IRAs as well as alternative assets like cryptocurrencies. Security was also a major consideration. Because Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies aren’t backed by any bank or hard assets, a hacker can potentially wipe out an entire Bitcoin IRA. For that reason, we made sure to choose companies that provide state-of-the-art security features and high insurance coverage for their digital assets. Finally, we included companies with low or reasonable fees because managing a Bitcoin IRA can be potentially much more expensive than managing most traditional retirement accounts. Article Sources Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work. These include white papers, government data, original reporting, and interviews with industry experts. We also reference original research from other reputable publishers where appropriate. You can learn more about the standards we follow in producing accurate, unbiased content in oureditorial policy. ITrustCapital. "Buy and Sell Crypto, Gold, and Silver with Your IRA." ITrustCapital. "Frequently Asked Questions." ITrustCapital. "Is There a Minimum or Maximum per Transaction?" Equity Trust. "Cryptocurrency Providers." Coin IRA. "Experience the Simplicity and Security of the Coin IRA Cryptocurrency Trading Platform." Cointelegraph. "Russia Legalizes Bitcoin Mining." Related Terms What Is Bitcoin Mining? How to Get Started Breaking down everything you need to know about Bitcoin mining, from blockchain and block rewards to proof of work and mining pools. more Satoshi in Bitcoin: What It Is and How Much It Is Worth The satoshi is the smallest unit of the bitcoin cryptocurrency. It is named after Satoshi Nakamoto, the creator of Bitcoin. more What Is Bitcoin? How To Buy, Mine, and Use It BTC meaning: a digital currency that uses peer-to-peer technology to facilitate instant financial transactions and removes the need for third-party involvement. more What Is a Bitcoin Exchange? How It Works, Fees, and Example A Bitcoin exchange is a digital marketplace where traders can buy and sell Bitcoins using different fiat currencies or altcoins. more Who Is Craig Wright? Craig Wright claimed to be Satoshi Nakamoto, the mysterious inventor of Bitcoin. But his claim is riddled with holes and was proven false by courts in 2024. more Bitcoin Ordinal NFT: Everything You Need to Know Bitcoin Ordinals enable assets to be issued on top of Bitcoin more efficiently. Users are split on whether they should exist. moreBest Bitcoin IRA Companies for 2024
Best Rates and Fees : iTrustCapital
Best Digital Asset Insurance : Bitcoin IRA
Best for Security : BitIRA
Best for Self-Directed Investments : Equity Trust
Best Investor Experience : Coin IRA
The Bottom Line
Compare Bitcoin IRA Providers
Company Why We Chose It Account Minimum Notable Features iTrustCapital Best Rates and Fees $1,000 No monthly service fee and a 1% fee per transaction Bitcoin IRA Best Overall $3,000 Full-service Bitcoin IRA provider offering 24/7 trading BitIRA Best for Security $5,000 Guarded offline storage and full insurance coverage Equity Trust Best for Self-Directed Investments $500 More than 40 years of experience in self-directed IRAs Coin IRA Best Investor Experience $5,000 Cryptocurrency consultants and multiple storage options In the News
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Frequently Asked Questions
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How We Chose the Best Bitcoin IRAs
How to Buy Bitcoin With a Credit Card What Is Bitcoin Mining? How to Get Started Satoshi in Bitcoin: What It Is and How Much It Is Worth What Is Bitcoin? How To Buy, Mine, and Use It Bitcoin's Taproot Upgrade: What You Should Know What Is a Bitcoin Exchange? How It Works, Fees, and Example