We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more.
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. We researched nearly a dozen and chose the best Bitcoin IRAs based on expertise, security, experience, fees, and more.
The Best Bitcoin IRA Companies for 2023
- 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
Best Rates and Fees : iTrustCapital
:fill(white):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/iTrustCapital-09ef3a2fcd41454b90b17ca2ff3d9d51.jpg)
iTrustCapital
- Account Minimum: $1,000
- Transaction Fees: 1% per transaction
- Insurance Protection: Up to $370 million
Receive a $100 reward when you create and fund an account with iTrustCapital.
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.
Low account and trading fees
$1,000 minimum investment
24/7 trading
No financial advisors on staff
Founded in 2018, iTrustCapital lets individuals buy and trade cryptocurrencies and physical 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. Additionally, new users get a $100 Bitcoin reward when they fund their accounts.
iTrustCapital allows clients to trade in 29 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 while enjoying the same fees.
In June 2021, iTrust announced that it began using Coinbase Custody to secure its digital assets up to $370 million. This is in addition to its basic coverage that begins at $50 million and is provided by Munich Re, a leading provider of insurance-related risk solutions founded in 1880.
Best Digital Asset Insurance : Bitcoin IRA
:fill(white):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Bitcoin_IRA-3985f82537154d3ca3cb280f553d739b.jpg)
 Bitcoin IRA
- Account Minimum: $3,000
- Security Encryption: 256-bit SSL
- Insurance Protection: Up to $700 million
New customer? Sign up today and earn a $150 reward upon funding your account.
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.
Easy setup and trading
Secure offline digital asset storage
Digital assets insured up to $700 million
High setup and maintenance fees
Established in 2016, Bitcoin IRA is 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 over 60 types of cryptocurrency, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Cardano, and Litecoin. Although the minimum to open a standard account is $3,000, the company also 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.
Best for Security : BitIRA
:fill(white):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/BitIRA-12e3083a6ada4f6fa81b27d85b1ceb62.jpg)
BitIRA
- Account Minimum: $5,000
- Security Options: Offline physical keys kept by armed guards and computer specialists in grade-5 nuclear bunkers
- Number of Cryptocurrencies Supported: 9
BitIRA offers Bitcoin IRAs with dollar-for-dollar insurance coverage for digital assets and true offline cold storage of private keys, placing it in the top position as the best for security.
Digital assets kept in guarded offline storage
Full insurance coverage for digital assets
Multi-encryption encoding for transactions
Must open accounts with a digital currency specialist
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 unlimited insurance coverage, making it our choice as the best for security.
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.Â
BitIRA is so confident in its security measures that it covers all digital assets dollar-for-dollar, insuring all client digital currencies at full value. The company also offers a $1 million consumer protection insurance policy to protect against internal cases of fraud or theft.
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 nine types of cryptocurrency, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, and Litecoin.
BitIRA doesn’t list its fees on its website.
Best for Self-Directed Investments : Equity Trust
:fill(white):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Equity_Trust-843ec004ed6e435fa0a7e2595eda91d9.jpg)
 Equity Trust
- Number of Cryptocurrencies Supported: 8
- Annual Administration Fees: $75 to $2,640 (depending on account size)
- Account Setup Fee: $50
Equity Trust has been managing self-directed IRAs for 45 years with both traditional and alternative investments and no transaction fees, placing it in our top spot as the best for self-directed investments.
45 years of experience in self-directed IRAs
Supports traditional and alternative investments
No transaction fees
High administration fees
Must open accounts with a representative
As a financial services company established 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 $75 to $2,640 depending on the size of the account as well as a $50 setup fee and a 0.07% monthly cold storage fee based on account balance.
Best Investor Experience : Coin IRA
:fill(white):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/CoinIRAUpdatedLogo-534ce72e8caf421ca47eec288b512448.png)
Best Bitcoin IRA Companies
- Cryptocurrency Account Minimum: $5,000
- Account Setup Fee: $0
- Security Options: Off-balance-sheet cold storage
- Cryptocurrencies Supported: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and more
Coin IRA provides education on the process of establishing and funding accounts and offers low fees, placing it first for the best investor experience.
Low fees
No longer offers varied wallet options
No cryptocurrency consultants available
Coin IRA was founded in 2017. Its 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.
Final Verdict
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 best for security category, Equity Trust is our choice as the best for self-directed investments, while Regal Assets closes out our list by winning for the best variety of cryptocurrency supported.
Compare Providers
Company | Â Why We Chose It | Â Notable Features |
---|---|---|
iTrustCapital | Best Rates and Fees | No monthly service fee and 1% fee per transaction |
Bitcoin IRA | Best Overall | Full-service Bitcoin IRA provider offering 24/7 trading |
BitIRA | Best for Security | Guarded offline storage and full insurance coverage |
Equity Trust | Best for Self-Directed Investments | More than 44 years of experience in self-directed IRAs |
Coin IRA | Best Investor Experience | Cryptocurrency consultants and multiple storage options |
Frequently Asked Questions
-
How Do Bitcoin IRAs Work?
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. Â
-
How Should I Choose a Bitcoin IRA Company?
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.
-
Are All Bitcoin IRA Companies Safe?
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.
-
What Are the Benefits of Bitcoin IRAs?
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.
Methodology
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.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1325823070-f0c004ca51134830915f18eef63a3e26.jpg)
Yuichiro Chino / Getty Images