Buy, sell, and trade the most popular cryptocurrencies, tax free on IRAfi Crypto, the crypto investment platform brought to you by IRA Financial.
IRA Financial’s IRAfi Crypto platform is a self-directed cryptocurrency trading solution that enables individuals to invest in digital assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum directly through their retirement accounts—including IRAs, Roth IRAs, Solo 401(k)s, HSAs, and Coverdell ESAs. The platform operates in partnership with Bitstamp, a regulated cryptocurrency exchange established in 2011, ensuring secure and compliant transactions.
With IRAfi Crypto, users can buy, sell, and trade over 30 popular cryptocurrencies 24/7, without the need for an LLC or third-party broker. The platform offers real-time pricing, profit/loss tracking, and a user-friendly interface accessible via desktop or mobile devices. All transactions are conducted directly on the exchange under the retirement account’s name, with the account holder maintaining full control as the authorized representative.
With the IRAfi Crypto platform, you can rollover or transfer an existing retirement account, or start a new one, to buy, sell, and trade crypto instantly 24/7/365.
Access included FREE with full-service IRA Financial accounts
$0
setup fee
$100
annually
Investing in crypto specifically through a self-directed IRA or Solo 401(k) gives you powerful tax advantages—letting your gains grow tax-deferred or even tax-free. With our dedicated retirement crypto investment platform, you get real-time pricing, a smooth buy/sell experience, and tools for comparing coins and tracking performance. Educational links for each asset and a clear view of your total value and profit/loss make it easy to manage your crypto portfolio inside a tax-advantaged account.
All income and gains from your crypto investments flow back into your retirement plan without tax
No need to worry about holding periods and figuring out short- and long-term capital gains since your investments are not subject to tax
Diversify your retirement portfolio by investing in an emerging asset class
Security is our first priority so we’ve partnered with Bitstamp, one of the longest-running cryptocurrency exchanges, to offer direct crypto trading with IRAfi crypto. This partnership is beneficial for individuals looking to diversify their retirement savings with cryptocurrency while maintaining the security and tax advantages of an IRA.
Established in 2011, Bitstamp has a strong industry reputation. It is fully regulated and complies with AML (Anti-Money Laundering) and KYC (Know Your Customer) policies. Unlike some offshore exchanges, Bitstamp follows strict compliance measures, making it a safer place to trade crypto.
Bonus security features include:
Bitstamp provides deep liquidity, ensuring efficient trade execution with minimal slippage. It supports both spot trading and advanced order types, making it suitable for beginners and experienced traders. The exchange operates 24/7, allowing investors to react quickly to market changes.
Bitstamp caters to both retail and institutional investors, offering services for businesses, such as IRA Financial. OTC trading and API access for high-volume traders and automated strategies.
Whether you’re new to digital assets or looking for a smarter way to manage them inside your retirement account, IRAfi gives you the tools to take control. Designed specifically for Self-Directed IRAs and Solo 401(k)s, IRAfi offers an easy, secure, and flexible way to invest in cryptocurrency—without leaving your tax-advantaged retirement plan.
Flat, transparent pricing, and we don’t require a minimum balance.
We are trusted to manage over $3.9 Billion in alternative assets.
IRA Financial’s founder, Adam Bergman, is the author of nine books on self-directed retirement.
Proudly serving over 24,000 clients across all 50 states.
We have our own app you can use to easily set up and maintain your account.
Live chat available 8AM–6PM Central Time.
Below are answers to common questions about the IRAfi Crypto investment platform.
We are very proud to have the industry’s best solution for buying Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies on an exchange in the name of an IRA or 401(k). IRA Financial was the first self-directed IRA company to allow their clients to invest in cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, directly via a cryptocurrency exchange without the need for a third-party broker or the use of an LLC. Now, investors can use their retirement funds to buy all the major cryptocurrencies directly through Bitstamp, one of the leading US cryptocurrency exchanges. The IRA Financial Crypto Platform is unique because it allows retirement holders to hold cryptocurrencies in an IRA directly on an exchange. The account is opened in the name of the IRA but controlled by you as the authorized representative on the account. The IRA holder has 100% control over the account and can trade anytime.
A Self-Directed IRA account with IRA Financial allows you to invest in any IRS-approved alternative investment like real estate, private placements, gold, investment funds, including cryptos for one low flat fee. Whereas an IRA Financial Crypto account will you to exclusively buy cryptos for the annual low fee of just $100, plus trading fees. IRA Financial does not charge an annual custody fee based on the value of your cryptos.
No – the IRA Financial Crypto platform is the only way you can buy cryptos on Bitstamp using a retirement account directly.
You can fund your IRAfi Crypto account through:
Please note: you cannot fund your plan with cryptos. At the time, you may only fund your IRAfi Crypto account with cash from a retirement plan.
No! IRA Financial is unique in that we do not require a minimum deposit to start or maintain a minimum balance as long as you have a credit card on file.
Not at this time. However, IRA Financial has been working on a multi-signature wallet solution that will follow IRS rules and the McNulty case ruling that will allow retirement account owners to hold their cryptos off the exchange on a cold wallet in which they personally hold. We are hoping this solution will be live in the near future.
No. At this time, the IRAfi Crypto platform can only be funded with cash from a retirement account. You can always sell the cryptos you hold with another company tax free and then repurchase the cryptos on the IRAfi Crypto platform.
Since retirement plans are tax-advantaged accounts, you don’t need to worry about taxes, such as capital gains, when you trade cryptos inside one. With a traditional plan, taxes are deferred until you withdraw from the plan; if you utilize a Roth, never pay taxes on qualified distributions.
Limit trading is now live on the app! A limit order is a direction to purchase or sell a crypto at a specified price or better. This feature allows retirement account investors to better control the prices at which they trade. A limit can be placed on either a buy or sell order:
The 1% IRAfi Crypto fee includes all Bitstamp trading fees.
IRAfi Crypto does not support all cryptocurrencies; it does support most of the major cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, XRP, etc. See the full list here.
If you wish to invest in a crypto not supported by our app, you can set up a Checkbook IRA and use an exchange of your choice. You would purchase cryptos in the name of the LLC and control the entire process on your own without the need for expensive brokers.
In order to invest in other assets such as real estate and precious metals, you need to upgrade your account to a full-service Self-Directed IRA or Solo 401(k) plan. Simply log into the app, and choose which type of plan you want.
Buying cryptos through an ETF at a brokerage firm comes with drawbacks compared to purchasing directly from an exchange. ETFs incur higher ongoing fees and do not provide direct ownership of the tokens. ETFs trade only during stock market hours, unlike exchanges that operate 24/7, and may experience tracking errors or price premiums during volatile markets.
All customer funds held on Bitstamp are 100% backed and available for withdrawal at any time. Assets are held 1:1 in custody, meaning for each coin our customers hold with us, that coin is safely held with a fully licensed, qualified custodian.
All Bitstamp customers’ crypto and fiat are stored separately from corporate assets. Bitstamp never will lend or stake out your assets, crypto or fiat, without your express instruction.95% of crypto held at Bitstamp is securely stored offline in bank-grade Class III vaults. Bitstamp keeps the remaining 5% online to enable smooth and fast transactions. Additionally, our custodians hold insurance for client assets in cold wallets. Learn more.
The IRS requires taxpayers must answer the digital asset question and report all digital asset-related income when they file their 1040 return, which is filed by the individual and not the IRA, so there is a position that one who only owns cryptos via an IRA does not have to respond in the affirmative to the question on IRS Form 1040.
However, the safest approach is to answer “yes” to the question since it is unclear if it only relates to crypto ownership in one’s personal capacity.
Yes! IRA Financial will do everything to help you set up your Bitstamp account. You will have 100% control of all aspects of the account. The opening and funding of your IRAfi Crypto account is quick and easy. Plus, our dedicated team is available by phone, email, or chat to help with any questions.
Bitstamp is the oldest and most reputable cryptocurrency exchange in the industry and has been operating since 2011. Bitstamp is regulated by the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS). Bitstamp uses 2FA, SSL encryption, and cold storage for most of their crypto holdings, and have a dedicated security team working around the clock to prevent and respond to security attacks.
Schedule a free consultation with a member of our team to explore how opening a self-directed retirement account can unlock your ability to invest tax-free in a variety of alternative assets.
