Key Sections
A head-to-head comparison of security, supported assets, and the investor experience
If you are thinking about adding cryptocurrency to your retirement portfolio, you may have two top choices. They are iTrustCapital and BitcoinIRA¹. Both platforms let you hold digital assets in a tax-advantaged retirement account. They differ in fees, security, onboarding, and who they serve.
This guide compares both platforms head to head: supported assets, custody infrastructure, account types, and the overall experience. With this information you can make a confident decision about where to hold your retirement savings. To learn more about how BitcoinIRA works, visit bitcoinira.com/how-it-works.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | BitcoinIRA | iTrustCapital |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2016 | 2018 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 80+ | 90+ |
| Account Minimum | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| Setup / Deposit Fee | $0 | $0 |
| Crypto Staking | ADA (Cardano), ETH (Ethereum), Solana (SOL), Polkadot (DOT) and SUI (SUI) | SOL, ETH, stablecoin rewards |
| Custody | Vertically Integrated | 3rd Party |
| Insurance | Up to $250M custody insurance | Standard custodial protections |
| Trading Features | 24/7 Trading, Crypto Bundles, Rebalancing, Build Your Own Portfolio, Limit Orders, Stop Losses | Market & Limit Orders |
| Security Cert | SOC 2 Type 2 | 2F |
| Account Types | Traditional, Roth, SEP, SIMPLE, SoloK | Traditional, Roth, SEP, SIMPLE |
| Customers Served | 200,000+ Americans | 250,000+ accounts |
| BBB Rating | A+ | A+ |
Company Overviews
BitcoinIRA
BitcoinIRA launched in 2016 as the first platform to offer cryptocurrency in an IRA. It remains one of the most recognized names in the space. Over 200,000 Americans have used the platform. They invest in 80+ cryptocurrencies through Traditional, Roth, SEP, and SIMPLE IRA accounts (source).
Digital Trust, a fully licensed and regulated trust company, custodies the assets. BitGo secures them with institutional-grade infrastructure. This includes up to $250 million in custody insurance. BitGo also holds a SOC 2 Type 2 security certification.
The BitcoinIRA platform is known for hands-on customer service. This includes phone support, guided rollover help, and dedicated onboarding. It is designed to be easy for new digital asset investors to use, but also offers the features and account experience crypto holders look for.
The company has received over 5,000 5 star reviews.
iTrustCapital
iTrustCapital was founded in 2018. It has grown to over 250,000 funded accounts. It has processed over $16 billion in total transaction volume (source). It offers access to 90+ cryptocurrencies as well as physical gold and silver through Traditional, Roth, SEP, and SIMPLE IRAs.
Custody is managed through Coinbase Custody and Fireblocks, two widely recognized institutional providers (source).
iTrustCapital has accumulated over 13,000 reviews across Google and Trustpilot.
Supported Assets and Staking
BitcoinIRA supports 80+ cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, XRP, Cardano, Chainlink, and Litecoin. The platform offers staking for ADA (Cardano), ETH (Ethereum), Solana (SOL), Polkadot (DOT) and SUI (SUI), which allows investors to use tax-advantaged IRAs to earn rewards with their long-term holdings.
iTrustCapital supports 90+ cryptocurrencies and extends into physical gold and silver. It also offers staking on Solana and Ethereum, as well as stablecoin rewards on RLUSD and USDC (source).
Crypto Bundles Set BitcoinIRA Apart
BitcoinIRA has launched a new Crypto Bundle product. It offers the ability to quickly and easily diversify your portfolio with multiple cryptocurrencies. The Bundles can rebalance automatically over time. The Bundles are thematic (i.e. Crypto Blue Chip, Tokenized Economy, AI On Chain, Privacy & Security, and DeFi), or you can create a fully personalized Bundle based on your goals.
You can setup rules around automatic rebalancing. Then, sit back and let the Bundles do the rest. The easy path to a diversified crypto portfolio built for the future.
Security, Custody, and Insurance
When you’re placing retirement savings in digital assets, security architecture matters as much as the assets themselves.
BitcoinIRA
BitcoinIRA’s assets are custodied through Digital Trust and safeguarded using industry-leading multi-signature wallets² from BitGo. BitGo is one of the longest-standing institutional custodians in the crypto space (details). Key security features include:
- Multi-signature wallets and cold storage
- SOC 2 Type 2 certification (verified by third-party auditor)
- Up to $250 million in custody insurance covering digital assets
- Video-based identity verification for account access
The SOC 2 Type 2 certification is worth understanding.
It is not a one-time audit. It is an ongoing review of a company’s internal controls, which covers security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. It’s the same standard applied to major financial institutions.
“We were dealing with the Holy Grail here, retirement accounts. The last thing we want is for somebody to invest something and it just gets lost. That’s why we lead with security. We knew from the very beginning it was what would make us different and help us grow, because if you have all these horror stories of people losing money, the industry doesn’t grow. We have almost a responsibility as an industry leader to put security first.” Source: Chris Kline interview (YouTube)
iTrustCapital
iTrustCapital custodies assets through Coinbase Custody and Fireblocks, both respected institutional-grade providers (source). Security includes two-factor authentication, standard encryption protocols, and administration through a state-chartered trust company that handles IRS reporting and custodial compliance.
Coinbase Custody is a widely used institutional custodian for crypto. Fireblocks provides transfer and settlement infrastructure. iTrustCapital does not list a specific insurance amount like BitcoinIRA does. However, assets held with custodians like Coinbase Custody usually have insurance and security protocols.
What the Insurance Actually Covers
This is a point most comparison articles skip. Custody insurance protects against specific scenarios. Typically this includes theft, hacking of the custodial infrastructure, or internal fraud, not market losses.
If Bitcoin drops 40%, insurance doesn’t apply. If a bad actor breaks the custodian’s security protocols and steals assets, the insurance may pay up to the policy limit.
BitcoinIRA’s $250 million custody insurance policy is one of the largest in the Crypto IRA space, though the exact terms and coverage may vary based on the asset and custody solution chosen. This is a meaningful differentiator for investors who weigh institutional security infrastructure heavily.
Account Types and Rollover Process
| Account Type | BitcoinIRA | iTrustCapital |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional IRA | ✓ | ✓ |
| Roth IRA | ✓ | ✓ |
| SEP IRA | ✓ | ✓ |
| SIMPLE IRA | ✓ | ✓ |
Rolling Over a 401(k) or Transferring an Existing IRA
BitcoinIRA provides a guided rollover experience. You’ll work with a dedicated specialist who will guide you through the paperwork and coordinate with your current custodian. They will also follow up until the funds arrive in your new account.
Learn more at bitcoinira.com/bitcoin-401k.
iTrustCapital handles rollovers and transfers through its online platform. The process is straightforward and well-documented, but it’s largely self-directed. Rollovers typically take 5 to 15 business days depending on the current custodian (source). Customer support is available if you run into issues, but the default experience is designed for investors comfortable following written instructions.
Platform Experience and Customer Support: For the Investor Who’s Never Bought Crypto
This could be an underrated consideration. If you’re 55 and have managed a 401(k) for decades, onboarding matters a lot. This is especially true if you’ve never held Bitcoin in a wallet.
BitcoinIRA was designed with this investor in mind. The mobile app is available on iOS and Android and has consistently high ratings. The platform offers phone-based support during weekday business hours, scheduled calls for complex questions, live chat, and email support (source).
Onboarding is structured to minimize friction: you create an account, fund it, and start trading within days. Learn more at bitcoinira.com/how-it-works.
"That’s why we saw the pertinent need for a turnkey solution for folks that wanted to get into this. It’s as simple as going to Fidelity, putting some funds in an account, buying some stocks or mutual funds, and holding them there as part of your portfolio. Same concept, just with crypto.”
iTrustCapital offers both desktop and mobile applications with matching feature sets. The platform supports buying, selling, staking, funding, withdrawals, conditional transactions, and recurring buys. Customer support is available via phone, email, and in-app channels (source). The platform is well-built and responsive, but it assumes you can manage an online investment account on your own.
Bottom line: If you want a hands-on experience with a real person guiding you, BitcoinIRA’s support model is built for that. If you prefer to move quickly on your own, iTrustCapital’s self-service approach is efficient and works.
What Happens if You Want to Switch Providers?
One question that rarely gets answered: what if you pick one platform and later want to move?
The good news is that Crypto IRAs are portable. You can move assets from one IRA custodian to another using a trustee-to-trustee transfer. This avoids tax consequences. The process typically involves opening an account with the new provider, initiating a transfer request, and waiting for the receiving custodian to coordinate with the sending custodian.
Timelines vary, but most transfers take two to four weeks. Some providers charge a transfer-out or account-closing fee, so check the terms before you commit. The key takeaway: your retirement savings aren’t locked into any single platform.
Personal support for switching providers and ongoing account maintenance is where BitcoinIRA stands out. This is reflected in the many 5-star reviews the company has earned.
One review put it well, “Answered my request ASAP for my time sensitive request. Thank you so much!! Awesome customer service!! I would only use BitcoinIRA.”
Who Is Each Platform Best For?
BitcoinIRA is the better fit if you:
- Want guided, hands-on onboarding with phone-based support (learn more)
- Are rolling over a 401(k) or transferring an IRA for the first time and want a specialist to walk you through it
- Prioritize institutional security with SOC 2 Type 2 certification and up to $250M in custody insurance
- Prefer a platform designed for long-term investors
- Value an established track record. BitcoinIRA has operated since 2016 and is the first of it’s kind. It has served over 200,000 Americans
iTrustCapital is the better fit if you:
- Are comfortable managing your own account without guided onboarding
- Want the lowest possible fees
- Are an experienced investor who doesn’t need personalized support
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BitcoinIRA safe?
BitcoinIRA custodies assets through Digital Trust and safeguards your assets using industry-leading multi-signature wallets from BitGo, which holds SOC 2 Type 2 certification and provides up to $250 million in custody insurance (source). The platform has served over 200,000 Americans since 2016 and holds an A+ BBB rating. As with any investment, cryptocurrency carries inherent market risk, but the custodial and security infrastructure is institutional-grade.
Can I roll over my 401(k) into a Crypto IRA?
Yes. Both BitcoinIRA and iTrustCapital accept rollovers from 401(k) accounts and transfers from Traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, SEP IRAs, and other eligible retirement accounts.
Can I hold Bitcoin in a Roth IRA?
Yes. Both platforms support Roth IRAs, which allow your crypto investments to grow tax-free and provide tax-free qualified withdrawals in retirement. Roth contributions are made with after-tax dollars and are subject to income limits.
What happens if my Crypto IRA platform goes out of business?
Your assets are held by a third-party custodian, not by the platform itself. If the platform stops operating, the custodian still holds your assets. You can transfer them to another IRA provider.
