Best Bitcoin IRAs for 2026
Self-directed Bitcoin IRAs for tax-advantaged retirement savings.
Unchained IRA
Save tax-advantaged bitcoin & hold the keys — flat annual fees instead of a percentage. 10% off with code BITBO10.
iTrustCapital
Buy and sell 90+ cryptocurrencies plus gold & silver in your IRA with no monthly fees. $16 billion in transactions & 200k+ accounts.
Swan IRA
Hold real BTC in your retirement account with tax advantages. Simple fees & custody through Equity Trust.
A Bitcoin IRA allows you to hold Bitcoin in a tax-advantaged retirement account. You can invest in Bitcoin directly through a self-directed IRA, or gain exposure through Bitcoin ETFs in a traditional brokerage IRA.
We would love to have more people, more individuals, more families, more 401Ks exposed to digital assets and bitcoin is a really great way to start. And if folks need an ETF to kind of begin that journey, that's great.
🔑 Key Takeaways
- Yes, you can buy Bitcoin in a Roth IRA — either through a specialized self-directed IRA provider, or by purchasing Bitcoin ETFs (like IBIT).
- Bitcoin ETFs are now the easiest way to add Bitcoin to your IRA. Since January 2024, spot Bitcoin ETFs trade on major exchanges and can be purchased in any brokerage IRA with fees as low as 0.2%.
- Self-directed Bitcoin IRAs let you hold actual Bitcoin. Best for those who want true Bitcoin ownership and self-custody options.
Key FAQs
| Question | Short Answer | How To Do It |
|---|---|---|
| Can you buy Bitcoin in a Roth IRA? | Through self-directed IRAs or Bitcoin ETFs | |
| Can you buy Bitcoin in a Traditional IRA? | Same methods — self-directed IRA or ETFs | |
| Can you buy Bitcoin at Fidelity in an IRA? | (via ETF) | Purchase FBTC, IBIT, or other spot Bitcoin ETFs |
| Can you buy actual Bitcoin (not ETF) in an IRA? | Requires a self-directed Bitcoin IRA provider |
The key difference is whether you want Bitcoin exposure (through ETFs at any brokerage) or actual Bitcoin ownership (through a specialized self-directed IRA). Both qualify for tax-advantaged growth in your Roth IRA.
Roth IRA vs Traditional IRA for Bitcoin
Choosing between a Roth and Traditional IRA for your Bitcoin investment depends on your tax situation and how much you expect Bitcoin to grow.
| Factor | Roth IRA | Traditional IRA |
|---|---|---|
| Tax on Contributions | After-tax (no deduction) | Pre-tax (tax deductible) |
| Tax on Withdrawals | Tax-free withdrawals | Taxed as ordinary income |
| Tax on Bitcoin Gains | $0 — completely tax-free | Taxed at withdrawal as income |
| Best If Bitcoin... | Grows significantly over time | You want tax deduction now |
| Required Minimum Distributions | None — no forced withdrawals | Required starting at age 73 |
| 2026 Contribution Limit | $7,000 ($8,000 if 50+) | $7,000 ($8,000 if 50+) |
| Income Limits | Yes — phaseout at higher incomes | No limits for contributions |
Which is Better for Bitcoin?
A Roth IRA is generally better for Bitcoin if you believe Bitcoin will appreciate significantly. Since Roth withdrawals are tax-free, any gains — whether 2x or 100x — come out completely untaxed in retirement. With a Traditional IRA, those same gains would be taxed as ordinary income when you withdraw.
However, if you're in a high tax bracket now and expect to be in a lower bracket in retirement, a Traditional IRA's upfront tax deduction might make more sense.
Compare Self-Directed Bitcoin IRAs
| Provider | Best For | Annual Fee | Trading Fee | Minimum | Custody |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Unchained IRA
|
Self-custody & security | $250/year flat | 1.50% conversion fee | $2,000 per trade | 🔑 Self-custody |
|
iTrustCapital
|
Bitcoin + gold & silver | $0/year | 1% crypto, $125 gold/oz, $3.95 silver/oz | $1,000 | 🏦 Custodial |
|
Swan IRA
|
Beginners & simplicity | 0.24%/year ($20/mo min) | 1% buy/sell fee | No minimum | 🏦 Custodial |
IRA Provider Details
Unchained IRA
Unchained IRA combines the tax advantages of a retirement account with true Bitcoin self-custody. Unlike most Bitcoin IRA providers that require you to give up control, Unchained uses multisig technology so you hold the keys to your bitcoin. Flat annual fees don't increase with account value.
- True self-custody with multisig — you hold the keys
- Flat $250/year fee regardless of account size
- No third-party custodial risk
- Supports Traditional, Roth, SEP, and Inherited IRAs
- 1-on-1 concierge onboarding available
- 5.0 rating on Google Reviews
- $2,000 minimum per trade
- Must fund in USD (no direct BTC contributions per IRS rules)
- 1.50% trading fee on conversions
iTrustCapital
iTrustCapital is a leading crypto IRA platform with $16 billion in transactions and over 200,000 accounts. They offer 90+ cryptocurrencies plus physical gold and silver, all with no monthly or annual account fees. You can buy and sell 24/7, and crypto assets are secured with institutional storage providers like Coinbase Custody and Fireblocks. iTrustCapital is available in all 50 states and in Puerto Rico.
- No monthly or annual account fees
- 90+ cryptocurrencies including BTC, ETH, SOL, XRP, ADA, and more
- Physical gold & silver available alongside crypto
- 24/7 access
- Staking rewards available in IRA accounts
- Institutional custody via Coinbase Custody and Fireblocks
- $16 billion in crypto transactions, 200k+ accounts
- 12,000+ reviews rated 'Excellent' on Google & Trustpilot
- Mobile app for iOS and Android
- Supports 401k, TSP, 403b, 457 rollovers
- Not self-custody — crypto assets are secured with third-party institutional storage providers
- 1% fee on crypto transactions
- $1,000 minimum to open account
Swan IRA
Swan IRA lets US residents hold real Bitcoin in a tax-advantaged retirement account. Partnered with Equity Trust, a leading self-directed IRA custodian with over $65 billion in assets and 50+ years of experience. No setup fees, no Roth conversion fees, and available in all 50 states including New York and Texas.
- Hold real Bitcoin, not proxies like GBTC
- No setup, closure, distribution, or transfer fees
- Enterprise-grade custody via Equity Trust ($65B+ AUC)
- Available in all 50 states including NY and TX
- Free Roth conversions
- Swan Private membership included
- Easy onboarding — open account in under 60 seconds
- SEP and SIMPLE IRA account types not directly available (must transfer to Traditional)
- Selling requires contacting support via email
- No on-chain visibility yet (exploring future transparency)
- Not self-custody — Bitcoin held by Equity Trust
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or tax advice. Bitcoin IRA products involve investment risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Consult with a qualified financial advisor and tax professional before making any investment decisions. IRA rules and tax implications vary based on your individual circumstances. Some links on this page may be affiliate links.
Bitcoin ETF vs Self-Directed Bitcoin IRA
Since the SEC approved spot Bitcoin ETFs in January 2024, you now have two distinct paths to hold Bitcoin in your IRA. Here's how they compare:
💡 New in 2024: You can now buy spot Bitcoin ETFs (IBIT, FBTC, ARKB, BITB, etc.) in ANY standard brokerage IRA — no special self-directed account needed. This is the simplest and cheapest way to add Bitcoin exposure to your retirement portfolio.
| Factor | Bitcoin ETF Route | Self-Directed Bitcoin IRA |
|---|---|---|
| Where to Open | Any brokerage (Fidelity, Schwab, etc.) | Specialized provider (iTrustCapital, Bitcoin IRA, etc.) |
| What You Own | ETF shares (Bitcoin exposure) | Actual Bitcoin |
| Annual Fees | 0.19% - 0.25% (ETF expense ratio only) | 1% - 2%+ annually |
| Trading Fees | $0 at most brokerages | 0.5% - 2% per trade |
| Account Minimum | $0 - $1 (price of 1 share) | $1,000 - $10,000+ |
| Setup Complexity | Easy — same as buying any stock | More complex — new account, transfers |
| Self-Custody Option | — ETF issuer holds Bitcoin | — some providers offer it |
| Direct Bitcoin Ownership | — you own ETF shares | — you own actual BTC |
| Best For | Most investors, simplicity, low fees | Bitcoin purists, self-custody, larger accounts |
Popular Bitcoin ETFs for IRAs
| ETF | Ticker | Expense Ratio | Issuer |
|---|---|---|---|
| iShares Bitcoin Trust | IBIT | 0.25% | BlackRock |
| Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin | FBTC | 0.25% | Fidelity |
| ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF | ARKB | 0.21% | ARK/21Shares |
| Bitwise Bitcoin ETF | BITB | 0.20% | Bitwise |
| VanEck Bitcoin Trust | HODL | 0.20% | VanEck |
For most people, the ETF route is the better choice — it's dramatically cheaper (0.2% vs 1-2% annually), simpler to set up, and available at brokerages you likely already use. The main reason to choose a self-directed Bitcoin IRA is if you specifically want to own actual Bitcoin with self-custody options.
Can I Buy Bitcoin at Fidelity, Schwab, or Vanguard?
Many people search for whether they can buy Bitcoin directly at mainstream brokerages. Here's the current state of Bitcoin access at major brokerages:
| Brokerage | Buy Bitcoin Directly? | Bitcoin ETFs Available? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fidelity | ✗ No | ✓ Yes | Offers own ETF (FBTC) + all others |
| Charles Schwab | ✗ No | ✓ Yes | Full access to all spot Bitcoin ETFs |
| Vanguard | ✗ No | ✗ No | Does not allow Bitcoin ETF purchases |
| E*TRADE | ✗ No | ✓ Yes | Access to all spot Bitcoin ETFs |
| Robinhood | ⚠ Limited | ✓ Yes | Crypto available, but IRA features limited |
| Interactive Brokers | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | Direct crypto trading + ETFs available |
Key takeaway: If you have an IRA at Fidelity or Schwab, you can buy Bitcoin ETFs today with no account changes needed. If you're at Vanguard and want Bitcoin exposure, you'll need to either transfer to another brokerage or open a separate self-directed Bitcoin IRA.