BlockTrust IRA vs Fidelity Crypto IRA (2026)
By James Mitchell, CFA · Last updated: September 7, 2026 · Methodology
A note before comparing: we haven't independently scored Fidelity Crypto® IRA using our provider scoring model (the 9.6/10 you'll see for BlockTrust IRA throughout this site), so this page compares the two on documented facts rather than a side-by-side score. BlockTrust IRA is a dedicated, fully managed crypto IRA supporting 60+ cryptocurrencies with institutional custody through American Estate & Trust and $200M in insurance coverage. Fidelity Crypto® IRA is a narrower crypto feature inside Fidelity's standard IRA lineup, supporting just 4 cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Solana) with no annual fee and a flat 1% trading fee, held by Fidelity Digital Assets. Fidelity's biggest advantage is brand familiarity for existing Fidelity brokerage customers who want minimal crypto exposure without opening a new account elsewhere; its biggest limitations are the narrow coin selection and unavailability in California and Oregon. For investors who specifically want a dedicated, full-featured crypto IRA with broad asset selection and active management, BlockTrust IRA is our top recommendation.
BlockTrust IRA
9.6/10🏆 Our #1 Rated Crypto IRA — Top-Ranked
- ✓ Animus AI 24/7 managed portfolio
- ✓ 60+ cryptocurrencies supported
- ✓ American Estate & Trust institutional custody with $200M insurance
- ✓ 100% cold storage
- ✓ Available in all 50 states
Fidelity Crypto® IRA
Not independently scoredBest for existing Fidelity brokerage customers
- ✓ $0 setup and annual fees
- ✓ Backed by a major, well-known financial institution
- ✓ Held by a federally chartered trust bank (Fidelity Digital Assets)
- ✗ Only 4 cryptocurrencies supported
- ✗ Not available in California or Oregon
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | BlockTrust IRA | Fidelity Crypto® IRA |
|---|---|---|
| Setup Fee | $0 | $0 |
| Annual Fee | $250/yr (Unmanaged) / $0 (Managed) | $0 |
| Trading Fee | 0.4% (Unmanaged) / 0.14% (Managed) | 1% per trade |
| Minimum Investment | No Minimum (Unmanaged) / $20,000 (Managed) | $0 (standard brokerage IRA minimums apply) |
| Cryptocurrencies Supported | 60+ | 4 (Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), Solana (SOL)) |
| Custodian | American Estate & Trust | Fidelity Digital Assets, National Association |
| Insurance Coverage | $250M | Not disclosed |
| State Availability | All 50 states | Not available to residents of California or Oregon |
| Overall Score | 9.6/10 | Not independently scored |
Fidelity facts sourced from our Fidelity Crypto IRA review. We do not assign Fidelity a numeric score on this site.
Who Should Choose Each Provider?
Choose BlockTrust IRA if you:
- ✓ Want access to 60+ cryptocurrencies, not just the largest few
- ✓ Want a fully managed, AI-driven portfolio
- ✓ Live in California or Oregon
- ✓ Want a provider built specifically around crypto retirement investing
Choose Fidelity Crypto® IRA if you:
- ✓ Already have a Fidelity brokerage or IRA account
- ✓ Only want exposure to Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, or Solana
- ✓ Prefer to manage crypto directly yourself, without a managed option
- ✓ Value custody by a large, publicly known institution
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between BlockTrust IRA and Fidelity Crypto IRA?
BlockTrust IRA is a dedicated, fully managed crypto IRA supporting 60+ cryptocurrencies with a 9.6/10 overall score on our scoring model. Fidelity Crypto® IRA is a feature within Fidelity's standard IRA offering that supports only 4 cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Solana) via Fidelity Digital Assets. We haven't independently scored Fidelity Crypto IRA using our scoring model, so we compare the two on fees, asset selection, and custody instead.
Which has lower fees: BlockTrust IRA or Fidelity Crypto IRA?
Fidelity Crypto IRA charges $0 in setup and annual fees, with a 1% fee on each trade. BlockTrust IRA's managed accounts also have no annual fee, with a lower 0.14% trading fee, while unmanaged accounts carry a $250/year fee with a 0.4% trading fee. For active traders, BlockTrust's managed tier trading fee is lower than Fidelity's flat 1%.
Does Fidelity Crypto IRA support more cryptocurrencies than BlockTrust IRA?
No. Fidelity Crypto® IRA supports only 4 cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Solana), compared to BlockTrust IRA's 60+. Fidelity Crypto IRA is also not available to residents of California or Oregon.
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