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Crypto IRAs/BlockTrust IRA vs iTrustCapital
Updated March 2026 · Live Data

BlockTrust IRA vs iTrustCapital (2026)

JM
Written by
James Mitchell
Senior IRA Research Analyst
SC
Reviewed by
Sarah Chen, CFP®
Certified Financial Planner
Last verified:
Published:

The best Crypto IRA for most investors is iTrustCapital due to its $0 annual fee and low $1,000 minimum investment requirement, making it highly accessible for beginners and those with smaller portfolios. While BlockTrust IRA holds a slight edge in overall quality with a strong rating of 9.6 out of 10 and offers a broader range of asset options, its fees and minimums are generally higher, which may not suit all investors. iTrustCapital’s fee structure is particularly attractive for cost-conscious users, as it eliminates the annual maintenance fee that many competitors charge. On the other hand, BlockTrust is known for its comprehensive asset selection, including a wide variety of cryptocurrencies and precious metals, appealing to investors seeking diversification within their self-directed IRAs. Both platforms provide secure, user-friendly interfaces and robust customer support, but the choice ultimately depends on your priorities: if minimizing costs and entry barriers is key, iTrustCapital is the better option; if you prioritize asset variety and a higher-rated service, BlockTrust may be preferable. Overall, iTrustCapital’s combination of affordability and ease of access makes it the top recommendation for most crypto IRA investors in 2026.

BlockTrust IRA

9.6/10

🏆 Our #1 Rated Crypto IRA — Top-Ranked

  • Higher overall score (9.6 vs 8.8)
  • More cryptocurrencies (60 vs 40)
  • American Estate & Trust institutional custody with $200M insurance
  • 100% cold storage
  • Animus AI 24/7 portfolio management
Open BlockTrust IRA AccountRead Full Review

iTrustCapital

8.8/10

Notable for Low Fees & Low Minimum

  • $0 annual fee (vs 2% managed fee)
  • $1,000 minimum (vs No Min/\$20K Managed)
  • Simple flat 1% trading fee
  • Gold & silver IRA option
  • Fewer cryptocurrencies (40 vs 60)
Open iTrustCapital AccountRead Full Review

Head-to-Head Comparison

FeatureBlockTrust IRAiTrustCapitalWinner
Overall Score9.6/108.8/10🏆 BlockTrust IRA
Annual Fee$250/yr (Unmanaged) / $0 (Managed)$0🏆 iTrustCapital ($0 vs 2%)
Trading Fee0.4% (Unmanaged) / 0.14% (Managed)1% per trade🏆 BlockTrust IRA (0.14% vs 1%)
Minimum InvestmentNo Minimum (Unmanaged) / $20,000 (Managed)$1,000🏆 iTrustCapital ($1,000 vs No Min/$20K Managed)
Cryptocurrencies60+40+🏆 BlockTrust IRA (60 vs 40)
CustodianAmerican Estate & TrustFortis Bank + Fidelity / Wells Fargo / Fireblocks / Coinbase Prime🏆 BlockTrust (American Estate & Trust)
Storage100% Cold StorageCold Storage🏆 BlockTrust (100% cold)
Insurance$250MFDIC on cash🏆 BlockTrust ($200M)
BBB RatingNoneA🏆 iTrustCapital (A vs none)
Fee Score9.5/109.8/10🏆 iTrustCapital (9.8 vs 9.5)
Asset Score9.8/108/10🏆 BlockTrust IRA
Security Score9.7/108.8/10🏆 BlockTrust IRA

Who Should Choose Each Provider?

Choose BlockTrust IRA if you:

  • Want Animus AI 24/7 managed portfolio
  • Want the highest-rated platform (9.6/10)
  • Want access to 60+ cryptocurrencies
  • Prioritise American Estate & Trust custody and $200M insurance
  • Want 100% cold storage guarantee

Choose iTrustCapital if you:

  • Want to start with as little as $1,000
  • Prioritise eliminating the annual fee
  • Want gold and silver IRA alongside crypto
  • Are a first-time crypto IRA investor
  • Trade infrequently (annual fee savings matter most)

The Key Tradeoff: Fees vs Capability

Annual Fee: BlockTrust IRA charges $250/yr (Unmanaged) / $0 (Managed). iTrustCapital charges $0/year for all accounts. iTrustCapital wins on pure cost for passive investors.

Trading Fee: BlockTrust IRA charges 0.4% (Unmanaged) / 0.14% (Managed) per trade via American Estate & Trust. iTrustCapital charges 1% per trade. For active traders, BlockTrust's lower managed trading fee is a significant advantage.

Minimum Investment: BlockTrust IRA has No Minimum for unmanaged accounts and $20,000 for fully managed accounts. iTrustCapital requires $1,000, making it more accessible for smaller managed accounts.

Security: BlockTrust uses American Estate & Trust as custodian with $200M insurance coverage and 100% cold storage. iTrustCapital uses Coinbase Custody with FDIC coverage on cash holdings. Both are institutional-grade.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between BlockTrust IRA and iTrustCapital?

BlockTrust IRA charges 0.14%–0.40% per trade vs iTrustCapital's 1% flat fee. BlockTrust assigns a dedicated specialist. iTrustCapital also supports gold and silver. BlockTrust is better for crypto-focused investors wanting low fees.

Which has lower fees: BlockTrust IRA or iTrustCapital?

BlockTrust IRA has lower fees at 0.14%–0.40% per trade, compared to iTrustCapital's 1% flat fee. For active traders or large accounts, BlockTrust's lower fee structure results in significant savings.

Does iTrustCapital support precious metals?

Yes. iTrustCapital supports gold and silver IRA investments in addition to cryptocurrency, making it a good choice for investors who want both crypto and precious metals in a single IRA.

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