LendEDU’s take: iTrustCapital is a great way to buy cryptocurrencies and precious metals in your self-directed IRA. Its simplicity and low fee structure make it a fantastic choice for beginners.
Self-Directed IRA
- Buy and sell in 90+ cryptocurrencies
- Also invest in physical precious metals (gold and silver)
- Multiple retirement accounts (traditional IRA, Roth IRA, and SEP IRA)
- Transaction fees are lower than most crypto and gold IRA providers
- No stocks and bonds
- $1,000 minimum deposit required
| Invest in | Crypto, gold, silver |
| Investment minimum | $1,000 |
| Annual fee | 1% transaction fee |
iTrustCapital is a self-directed crypto IRA platform that allows investors to buy and sell more than 90 cryptocurrencies, including bitcoin and ethereum, inside a tax-advantaged retirement account. Unlike most crypto IRA providers, it also supports physical gold and silver, all without monthly maintenance or setup fees.
In this iTrustCapital review, we break down how the platform works, what it costs, how it compares to other crypto IRA providers like BitcoinIRA and IRA Financial, and who it’s best for. While iTrustCapital offers strong pricing transparency and asset selection, it won’t be the right fit for investors who want access to stocks, bonds, or active advisory services.
- Buy and sell over 90 cryptocurrencies in a tax-advantaged IRA
- 1% crypto transaction fee with no monthly or setup fees
- 24/7 access for crypto, gold, and silver
- Only $1,000 needed to open an account
- Supports rollovers plus Traditional, Roth, and SEP IRAs
Is iTrustCapital legit and safe?
Yes. iTrustCapital is a legitimate crypto IRA provider founded in 2018 with more than 250,000 funded accounts. It holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and earns consistently strong reviews across Trustpilot and Google.
Accounts are administered through a regulated, state-chartered trust company, and iTrustCapital handles required IRS reporting and custodial compliance. The platform also uses two-factor authentication and standard encryption safeguards to protect user data.
Our verdict: iTrustCapital is a legitimate and generally safe option for investors who want self-directed crypto exposure inside an IRA, as long as they understand the risks of cryptocurrency investing.
What does iTrustCapital offer?
iTrustCapital is built for investors who want alternative assets, not traditional stocks and bonds, inside a retirement account.
Crypto investing
Crypto is iTrustCapital’s core product. Investors get 24/7 access to more than 90 cryptocurrencies, including:
- Bitcoin (BTC)
- Ethereum (ETH)
- Solana (SOL)
- XRP
- Dogecoin (DOGE)
- Shiba Inu (SHIB)
- Polkadot (DOT)
Most crypto IRA providers limit investors to bitcoin and a handful of large-cap assets. iTrustCapital’s broader selection is one of its biggest differentiators.
There are no setup or monthly account fees. Instead, iTrustCapital charges a 1% transaction fee on every crypto buy and sell.
Examples:
- Buy $10,000 of BTC → $100 fee
- Sell $15,000 of ETH → $150 fee
This fee structure is lower and more transparent than many competitors.
Gold and silver investing
iTrustCapital also allows investors to buy and sell physical gold and silver inside an IRA. Metals are stored securely and tracked digitally, meaning investors don’t need to manage storage themselves.
- Gold: $125 over spot per ounce
- Silver: $10 over spot per ounce (buys), $5 over spot (sells)
Today’s gold price: $3,345.20
Today’s silver price: $36.57
While these flat fees can be competitive for larger transactions, smaller trades may be more expensive than percentage-based pricing elsewhere.
Costs and fees
iTrustCapital does not charge:
- Setup fees
- Monthly maintenance fees
- Storage fees
You will pay:
- 1% per crypto transaction
- Flat per-ounce premiums on gold and silver trades
Compared to other top-rated crypto IRA providers, iTrustCapital is one of the more transparent and affordable options, especially for active traders.
Customer reviews and reputation
| Platform | Rating | Number of reviews |
|---|---|---|
| Trustpilot | 5.0/5 | 8K |
| Better Business Bureau (BBB) | 4.7/5 | 100 |
| 4.9/5 | 5K |
Common praise:
- Helpful, responsive customer service
- Easy-to-use trading platform
- Clear pricing with no surprise fees
Common complaints:
- Occasional delays with distributions
- Frustration during high-volume trading periods
- Limited investment options outside crypto and metals
Notably, iTrustCapital actively responds to many negative reviews, which helps reinforce its credibility. The company earns an A+ rating on BBB, but it is not BBB-accredited.
How iTrustCapital compares to other crypto IRA providers
Here’s how iTrustCapital stacks up against three other great crypto IRA options:
iTrustCapital vs. IRA Financial
- iTrustCapital: Best for hands-on, self-directed crypto trading with low, transparent fees
- IRA Financial: Best for investors who want checkbook control and LLC-based IRA structures
IRA Financial offers greater customization and control, along with more asset classes, but it requires greater involvement and often higher costs. iTrustCapital is simpler and more accessible for most investors.
iTrustCapital vs. BitcoinIRA
- iTrustCapital offers lower fees and more supported cryptocurrencies
- BitcoinIRA provides more guided onboarding and education
BitcoinIRA charges higher transaction and account fees. iTrustCapital is better for cost-conscious investors who prefer self-service.
iTrustCapital vs. BitIRA
- iTrustCapital supports far more cryptocurrencies
- BitIRA may appeal to conservative crypto investors who want limited exposure
BitIRA has higher minimums and fewer assets.
Pros and cons of iTrustCapital
Pros
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Buy and sell 90+ cryptocurrencies inside an IRA
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No setup or monthly maintenance fees
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Competitive, transparent transaction pricing
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Supports Traditional, Roth, and SEP IRAs
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Also offers gold and silver exposure
Cons
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No stocks, bonds, or mutual funds
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$1,000 minimum deposit required
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No personalized investment advice
How to open and fund an iTrustCapital account
Opening an account is 100% online and typically takes minutes.
You can open:
- Traditional IRA
- Roth IRA
- SEP IRA
Funding options include:
- IRA transfers
- 401(k), 403(b), TSP, or 457 rollovers
- ACH cash contributions (U.S. dollars only)
Rollovers usually take five to 15 business days, depending on the current custodian.
Withdrawals and distributions
Withdrawals require submitting a distribution request through iTrustCapital’s support system. After signing the required documents, distributions typically take seven to 14 business days to process.
As with all IRAs, early withdrawals may trigger taxes and penalties depending on your age and account type.
Is iTrustCapital worth it in 2026?
iTrustCapital is a strong choice for investors who want direct crypto exposure inside a tax-advantaged retirement account without paying ongoing account fees. Its wide crypto selection and transparent pricing make it one of the most accessible crypto IRA platforms available.
However, it’s not ideal if you want traditional investments, professional management, or maximum customization. Investors who want LLC-based control or broader asset access may prefer IRA Financial or other self-directed IRA providers.
Bottom line: iTrustCapital is best for confident, self-directed investors who want to actively trade crypto in an IRA with minimal fees and friction.
About our contributors
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Written by Marc Guberti, CFPC®Marc Guberti is a Certified Personal Finance Counselor® and a freelance writer who specializes in investing, loans, personal finance, banking, business financing, and other finance topics. He regularly shares his analysis of stocks and financial products with his readers.
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Edited by Kristen Barrett, MATKristen Barrett is a managing editor at LendEDU. She lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, with her wife and their three senior rescue dogs. She has edited and written personal finance content since 2015.