Alto and iTrustCapital are two self-directed IRA investment companies that provide user-friendly platforms to invest using your individual retirement account in alternative assets like cryptocurrencies. This article outlines the similarities and differences between the two companies to help you decide which platform is best for you.
Best Crypto Exchange Apps
Cex.io is an online marketplace where you can buy or sell cryptocurrencies, trade crypto assets or exchange them for fiat money.
Kraken is a Bitcoin and cryptocurrency exchange platform to sell, buy and trade cryptocurrencies no matter your trading experience level.
Gemini is a cryptocurrency exchange, digital wallet, and custodian to securely store crypto and easily buy and sell cryptocurrencies.
Nexo is helping crypto holders earn interest on crypto and borrow cash and stablecoins. In this Nexo review, learn what the company offers.
What Is iTrustCapital?
iTrustCapital is a leading fintech software platform for alternative assets. The company provides 24/7 access to digital assets, cryptocurrencies, and precious metals through self-directed, tax-advantaged IRA, and Non-IRA account options. Leveraging a highly secure closed-loop system and third-party US banks and custodians, iTrustCapital provides greater asset protection and flexibility for a broad range of retail and institutional clients.
What Does iTrustCapital Offer?
The iTrustCapital platform is designed for investors who want to self-manage their long-term retirement investments through a tax-advantaged* Crypto IRA, or securely hold assets outside of retirement with a Premium Custody Account. At the same time, the platform also enables short-term activity with transactions that settle within seconds, providing 24/7 access.iTrustCapital offers a simple and low-cost fee structure, consisting of a 1% transaction fee for the asset you are buying and selling, and no monthly fees.
When you sign up with iTrustCapital, you can choose the type of IRA account that suits you and take advantage of the tax benefits that IRAs provide. Or you can open a Premium Custody Account, a Non-IRA account that provides users with the ability to buy and sell digital assets with enhanced security features and institutional-level custody. PCA accounts are not retirement accounts. PCA accounts are taxable.
iTrustCapital predominantly receives a 5-star rating across review sites such as Google and Trustpilot. They have over 10,000 excellent reviews across both sites, a high level reputation which you don’t really see in other crypto companies. This is because other companies rely heavily on AI bots, offshore teams, and automated responses. iTrustCapital does it differently; they have an award-winning U.S.-based client experience team
iTrustCapital Fees
- Cryptocurrency fee: 1% crypto transaction fee for buys and sells
- Gold transaction fee: $125.00 over spot per ounce (buys/sells)
- Silver transaction fees: $3.95 over spot per ounce for buys, $1.50 over spot per ounce for sells
- No monthly, annual, setup, or maintenance fees
Best Crypto Exchange Apps
Cex.io is an online marketplace where you can buy or sell cryptocurrencies, trade crypto assets or exchange them for fiat money.
Kraken is a Bitcoin and cryptocurrency exchange platform to sell, buy and trade cryptocurrencies no matter your trading experience level.
Gemini is a cryptocurrency exchange, digital wallet, and custodian to securely store crypto and easily buy and sell cryptocurrencies.
Nexo is helping crypto holders earn interest on crypto and borrow cash and stablecoins. In this Nexo review, learn what the company offers.
iTrustCapital Features
- Real-time, 24/7 access to your Premium Custody Account (PCA) or Tax-Advantaged* Crypto IRA
- Convenient, easy-to-access, user-friendly platform
- Low fee structure
- Access to a wide range of cryptocurrencies (80+), including Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), among others
- Crypto staking in both PCA and IRA
- Secure custody with institutional storage providers via Coinbase Custody and Fireblocks
- Buy and sell gold and silver bullion, with secure storage at the Royal Canadian Mint
- Easily transfer your existing BitcoinIRA or other Crypto IRA to iTrustCapital IN-KIND (no additional fees or necessary liquidation of cryptocurrency)
- Award-winning U.S.-based customer service is available Monday to Friday, 7 am to 5 pm
What Is Alto IRA?
Alto is a Nashville-based investment company founded in 2018. The Alto investment platform allows its users to invest using their IRA retirement accounts and take advantage of these accounts’ tax benefits.
Alto offers two investment products: Alto IRA, which gives investors access to alternative assets, such as real estate, fine art, and startups, and Alto CryptoIRA, which allows investors to trade cryptocurrencies. Alto currently hosts around 20,000 funded accounts, with nearly $1 billion in assets, approximately 40% of which are dedicated to holding cryptocurrencies.
What Does Alto IRA Offer?
The Alto investment platform provides real-time, 24/7 trading of cryptocurrencies and other alternative assets. Customer reviews report that the platform is user-friendly easy to set up, with excellent customer service provided by the Alto IRA team.
Alto provides an uncomplicated fee structure, with no hidden fees, minimums, setup fees, or commissions. Instead, their crypto trading IRA has a 1% transaction fee, while the Alto IRA features membership and transaction fees.
Alto applies industry-leading security measures, with Coinbase providing secure offline asset storage and insurance coverage. Alto’s integration with Coinbase means users do not have to set up an LLC, choose an exchange, or create a digital wallet.
An Alto CryptoIRA features over 135 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH). Alto’s CryptoIRA only allows cryptocurrency trading through the Coinbase exchange; however, users can also have an AltoIRA account to trade other assets.
With an Alto IRA account, users have access to over 75 additional specialized investment platforms, such as Blueaura for real estate, Prosper for private credit, Iron Edge for venture capital, BKCoin Capital for cryptocurrencies, Acre Trader for farmland, Equiam for pre-IPOs, Spaced Ventures for startups, and Franshares for crowdfunding.
Best Crypto Exchange Apps
Cex.io is an online marketplace where you can buy or sell cryptocurrencies, trade crypto assets or exchange them for fiat money.
Kraken is a Bitcoin and cryptocurrency exchange platform to sell, buy and trade cryptocurrencies no matter your trading experience level.
Gemini is a cryptocurrency exchange, digital wallet, and custodian to securely store crypto and easily buy and sell cryptocurrencies.
Nexo is helping crypto holders earn interest on crypto and borrow cash and stablecoins. In this Nexo review, learn what the company offers.
Alto CyptoIRA Fees
- No account or custody fees
- 1% trade fee of the order size per transaction
- $50 account closure fee
- $25 outbound wire transfer fee
Alto IRA Fees
- $25 monthly or $250 annual Pro account fee
- $10 monthly or $100 annual Starter account fee
- $10-$50 partner investment fee (for partner investments Alto makes on your behalf)
- $75 private investment fee (for Pro accounts only)
- $50 account closure fee
- $25 outbound wire transfer fee
Alto IRA Features
- Real-time, 24/7 investment platform
- Alto CryptoIRA account, providing access to over 135 crypto assets through the Coinbase exchange
- Alto IRA account, providing access to alternative assets through over 75 partner investment platforms
- Straightforward fee structure
- IRA tax benefits
- Coinbase secure offline asset storage and insurance coverage
- Alto IRA assets secured in FDIC-insured accounts
- Digital assets secured by a combination of Coinbase hot and cold storage
- Digital assets are protected by Coinbase insurance coverage (A $320 million limit and $3 million cybercrime insurance policy)
iTrustCapital vs. Alto IRA
Differences
iTrustCapital is dedicated to investing in cryptocurrencies, as well as gold and silver bullion. In comparison, Alto offers cryptocurrency investing and access to other alternative assets through partnerships with other specialized investment platforms.
Although iTrustCapital and Alto have the same cryptocurrency 1% transaction fee, Alto also charges a $50 account closure fee and a $25 outbound wire transfer fee. Physical gold and silver can be traded through the iTrustCapital platform for $125.00 over spot per ounce (buys/sells) for gold and $3.25 over spot per ounce for buys, $1.50 over spot per ounce for sells for silver. Whereas with Alto, investors need to pay $10 to $50 transaction fees to trade non-crypto assets and monthly or annual account fees.
Similarities
Both iTrustCapital and Alto offer user-friendly, convenient platforms to invest with your IRA retirement account. Both platforms are accessible 24/7 and provide real-time access. Cryptocurrencies can also be purchased or sold on both the iTrustCapital and Alto platforms.
iTrustCapital and Alto both offer self-directed IRA retirement investing that provides investors with IRA tax benefits. Assistance with setting up accounts and transferring funds is also provided by both companies.
But one thing to point out is that iTrustCapital has a non-IRA Premium Custody Account, which can be accessed through the same dashboard as their IRAs
Customer service reviews for both platforms report a solid level of service, with customer service available during regular business hours. But iTrustCapital takes the edge, with over 10,000 excellent reviews.
Best Crypto Exchange Apps
Cex.io is an online marketplace where you can buy or sell cryptocurrencies, trade crypto assets or exchange them for fiat money.
Kraken is a Bitcoin and cryptocurrency exchange platform to sell, buy and trade cryptocurrencies no matter your trading experience level.
Gemini is a cryptocurrency exchange, digital wallet, and custodian to securely store crypto and easily buy and sell cryptocurrencies.
Nexo is helping crypto holders earn interest on crypto and borrow cash and stablecoins. In this Nexo review, learn what the company offers.
iTrustCapital vs. Alto IRA: Which One Is Best for You?
Both iTrustCapital and Alto offer similar investment platforms, particularly if you want to invest in cryptocurrencies. Therefore, choosing between iTrustCapital and Alto will come down to the type of investor you are, which fee structure works best for you, and whether you would like access to other investment assets outside of cryptocurrencies or gold and silver bullion.
If you’re looking for a platform to buy and sell cryptocurrencies, whether through a tax-advantaged Crypto IRA and/or Non-IRA, without extra fees beyond a 1% transaction fee, iTrustCapital is the solution. Whereas, if you would like access to other alternative assets, such as real estate or venture capital, then Alto provides that access. However, the fees charged by Alto to access its partner’s platforms and other additional fees will need to be considered.
*Some taxes may apply
