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What Fees Should You Consider When Choosing a Crypto IRA?

Written by Banks Editorial Team

Updated May 23, 2023​

3 min. read​

Crypto IRAs enable crypto investors to benefit from individual retirement arrangements, or IRAs, and their tax advantages. A crypto IRA allows an individual to invest in cryptocurrency through their retirement account. Crypto IRAs offer long-term financial benefits and the tax advantages of IRAs, but typically have fees associated with maintaining an account. Let’s take a closer look at the fees you should look into when opening a Crypto IRA account.

Fortunately, while some IRAs can be expensive to maintain, the fee structures are simple. Most alternative IRA providers charge the same kinds of fees. 

The financial demands for crypto IRA providers necessitate several fees. These fees are higher than regular IRAs. However, they enable individuals to benefit from tax-sheltered asset growth and benefits for retirement within the cryptocurrency space.

By taking the time to consider these costs, thousands of dollars could potentially be saved by making the right choice for you.

Types of Fees:

  1. Main crypto IRA fees
  2. Secondary Associated crypto IRA costs
  3. The financial benefits you receive for placing crypto in an IRA
  4. How to get a low-cost crypto IRA
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Alto IRA Logo
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Alto IRA allows you to invest in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, real estate, cryptocurrencies, and even gold for your retirement.

What Are the Fees of a Crypto IRA?

As mentioned above, Crypto IRA accounts have tax benefits, but they also have associated fees, like account maintenance monthly fees, transaction fees, trading fees or set up fees. 

Account Maintenance Fees

This is the main fee that most crypto IRA providers charge. It’s a self-explanatory fee, and it’s usually flat and represented as an annual figure. However, the fee may be charged monthly or annually.

Fees that cover maintenance may be labeled “annual maintenance fee”, “custodial fee”, or something of the same nature. Regardless, they serve the same purpose, and their structure is the same across the crypto IRA marketplace.

Of all the expenses, this one is generally the most expensive. However, these fees can vary by the administrator, and it’s the first fee you should look for when comparing different IRAs.

Setup Fees

This fee is typically much smaller and a one-time charge when a new IRA is opened. It’s usually either a flat fee or a percentage-based fee. 

Trading Fees

Trading fees are ubiquitous. They are, however, always percentage-based. You can expect to pay a percentage of each trade as a fee with any crypto IRA.

Providers may quote one single rate for all trades, or they may charge separate rates for different cryptos. Regardless, it’s worth looking into trading fee structures, as it’s an ongoing cost as you continue to invest with your crypto IRA.

Popular Crypto Apps
Want to start trading crypto? The Current crypto trading platform offers numerous advantages, such as zero trading fees over 30 cryptos.

Invest in over 30 cryptocurrencies from your checking account with no trading fees with the Current mobile app crypto feature.

Titan Logo
If you are looking for a team of cryptocurrency investors experts to manage your portfolio, learn more about the Titan investment app.

Titan is an investment platform with a team of experts actively managing your portfolio based on your chosen strategy, including cryptocurrencies.

Alto IRA Logo
Alto IRA is one of the best investment options available today. With a low minimum deposit, you can invest in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, real estate, cryptocurrencies, and even gold.

Alto IRA allows you to invest in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, real estate, cryptocurrencies, and even gold for your retirement.

What Other Associated Costs Should You Look For When Choosing a Crypto IRA?

Minimum Balance/Investment Requirement

This isn’t a fee. After all, you’ll retain the total value of your initial and subsequent investments. However, because there is a barrier to entry, it is worth considering. Many investment accounts have minimum investment amounts in varying amounts.

Asset Conversion Fee

This one is less common and may come under different names. Essentially, it’s just a one-time, flat fee for converting your assets within your new crypto IRA.

Inactivity Fees

This is another kind of fee that is far less common, but one you should look out for. They’re generally small, flat fees charged when an account is inactive for a specified period. Usually, this means when no trades are conducted during the duration of the period.

Benefits of Trading in a Crypto IRA

While there are clearly quite a few costs associated with a crypto IRA, the potential benefits can justify them. This becomes especially true as your crypto portfolio grows larger.

The specific tax benefits you receive depend on the type of crypto IRA you open.

It’s important to note that taxable events are triggered when you sell crypto for US dollars at a profit. The tax rate you pay depends on the amount of time you hold the cryptocurrencies before selling. However, your assets can enjoy tax-deferred or tax-free appreciation in a crypto IRA.

Traditional Crypto IRA

Your contributions to your IRA are made with pre-tax dollars. You buy cryptos with your dollars through your custodian. So, you can get a tax deduction for contributions you make now. Then, you don’t pay any kind of taxes on your stored assets until you withdraw them in retirement.

Crypto Roth IRA

Your contributions are made with post-tax dollars. Therefore, you do not get to claim a tax deduction for contributions made now. However, you won’t need to pay any taxes when you withdraw your assets from your account.

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