Bitcoin has matured from a speculative asset into a long-term store of value for many investors. As a result, more individuals are exploring tax-advantaged ways to hold Bitcoin for retirement. This is where the Bitcoin IRA comes in.

A Bitcoin IRA is simply an IRA that allows you to gain exposure to Bitcoin within a tax-deferred or tax-free vehicle. When structured correctly, it lets you grow your Bitcoin holdings over decades without triggering capital gains taxes.

Investor interest in Bitcoin IRAs has surged, but so have the number of providers, with each offering different products, fee structures, and custody models. This makes it critical to understand what you’re getting before rolling over retirement funds.

What to Look for in a Bitcoin IRA Provider

Not all Bitcoin IRA providers are created equal. Investors should evaluate each platform across a few key dimensions:

1. Custody model: Who controls the keys? Most providers rely on a single institution, while others allow investors to hold their own keys, and others use multi-institution custody.

2. Fees and transparency: Review setup fees, annual fees, transaction costs, and spread markups closely. Many providers obscure their true cost.

3. Bitcoin-only vs crypto: Some IRA providers focus on Bitcoin exclusively, while others offer a wide menu of digital assets. For long-term focused investors, alignment with Bitcoin only is often preferable as Bitcoin custody is more battle-tested than infrastructure used to support other coins.

4. Regulatory standing: Does the provider work with regulated custodians and qualified IRA administrators?

5. Inheritance and access planning: Can your IRA be passed on to beneficiaries smoothly and securely?

With these criteria in mind, we've put together a clear, honest review of five of today’s leading Bitcoin IRA providers, highlighting the pros, cons, and key tradeoffs of each to help you make an informed decision.

Top Bitcoin IRA Providers Compared

1. iTrustCapital - one of the most visible Bitcoin IRA providers. It offers access to Bitcoin and other digital assets through a self-directed IRA structure.

• Custody: Assets are held with Fireblocks and managed via a third-party trust company
• Fees: 1% trading fee, no monthly fees
• Pros: Low fees relative to competitors, intuitive platform
• Cons: Crypto menu includes dozens of altcoins, increasing complexity and risk. High trading fees.
• Best for: Investors seeking active trading within their retirement account

2. BitIRA - markets itself as a secure, insured Bitcoin IRA provider and focuses on cold storage solutions.

• Custody: Coins are held in offline wallets with multi-factor authentication
• Fees: Setup and maintenance fees vary, often bundled with custodian services
• Pros: Emphasis on security, dedicated IRA specialists
• Cons: Higher fees and less transparency on pricing
• Best for: Investors prioritizing cold storage and personal support

3. Bitcoin IRA - one of the first entrants in the space, Bitcoin IRA offers a mobile-friendly platform with a wide range of digital assets.

• Custody: Assets are held in partnership with BitGo
• Fees: Setup fees up to 10%, annual account fees, and trading spreads
• Pros: Longest track record in the sector, accessible platform
• Cons: High fees and a broad focus on altcoins
• Best for: Early adopters looking for an all-in-one solution

4. Swan Bitcoin - offers a Bitcoin-only IRA product designed for long-term investors who prioritize simplicity, security, and low-cost accumulation.

• Custody: Bitcoin is held in cold storage with Equity Trust, a regulated custodian
• Fees: No setup or account maintenance fees; trading fees range from 0.25% to 0.99% based on volume
• Pros: Bitcoin-only focus, low fees, automated recurring purchases
• Cons: Limited flexibility in custody design, no access to altcoins (which may or may not be a drawback depending on investor goals)
• Best for: Bitcoiners seeking a low-fee, automated, long-term retirement accumulation strategy

5. Unchained Capital - offers a Bitcoin-only IRA that integrates directly with its multisig custody platform, giving investors more transparency and control over their retirement assets.

• Custody: Collaborative multisig with two keys held by the client and one held by Unchained
• Fees: $250 annual account fees and purchase fee of 1.5%
• Pros: Client retains one key, Bitcoin-only platform, strong inheritance support through multisig design
• Cons: High trading fee, limited to Bitcoin only (which may be a strength or limitation depending on investor preferences)
• Best for: Bitcoiners who want direct key participation within a regulated IRA framework

Key Risks and Considerations with Bitcoin IRAs

While Bitcoin IRAs can offer powerful tax benefits, they also introduce a few important tradeoffs:

• Loss of direct control: Most IRA platforms utilize a single custodian to manage the asset, which means that investors take on significant counterparty risk.
• Custody tradeoffs: Almost all IRA providers utilize a single custodian or allow for investors to hold their own keys, both of which have significant trade-offs over a long time horizon.
• Complex fee structures: Between custodians, administrators, and trading partners, fees can add up quickly, often eating into long-term gains.
• Liquidity constraints: Taking distributions, required minimum withdrawals, or rolling over assets can be slow or expensive.

Investors must weigh the tax advantages of IRA status against these risks and ask whether the custody tradeoffs align with their long-term goals.

A Different Approach to Bitcoin IRAs: Multi-Institution Custody

Not all Bitcoin IRAs are built the same. While most providers rely on either a single custodian or collaborative custody with investor participation, there is a growing recognition that a third model may offer greater resilience for long-term investors, multi-institution custody.

This approach distributes key control across multiple independent institutions, reducing single points of failure inherent in single custodians and do not require the end investor to manage keys. This custody structure has been adopted at scale by high-net-worth individuals, businesses, and institutional investors in taxable accounts and is now available in tax-advantaged structures.

Onramp is the first platform to bring multi-institution custody to Bitcoin IRAs. Clients benefit from:

• Keys held across three independent institutions, in a 2-of-3 multisig to eliminate single points of failure
• Bitcoin-only focus, no altcoins, sole focus on Bitcoin
• Transparent pricing with no hidden fees and no setup fees
• Built-in inheritance planning with clear beneficiary designations
• Partnerships with qualified custodians and trust companies for full regulatory alignment

For investors seeking long-term peace of mind, this structure offers a compelling new standard, combining the tax benefits of an IRA with the security of a more robust custody model.

To learn more, visit our IRA product page.

Our team is here to support you in your decision-making process. We’ve guided thousands of clients and can help you make the right decision for your circumstances - book a consultation.

Suggested further reading:

Should I Hold Bitcoin in an IRA? Pros, Cons, and Key Considerations

Should You Use Multi-Institution Custody for a Bitcoin IRA? Benefits, Tradeoffs, and How It Works