Looking to diversify your retirement savings with gold or cryptocurrency? Holding alternative assets inside an IRA can unlock meaningful tax advantages while keeping your portfolio balanced for the long term.
Most providers force you to choose between metals or digital assets. iTrustCapital takes a different approach, letting you open, fund, and trade a self-directed IRA that supports both precious metals and crypto on one platform—without a confusing or drawn-out setup.
But is iTrustCapital a trustworthy option for retirement investors? Drawing on hands-on testing, this review walks through what stands out, where it falls short, fees, security, storage partners, and how to get started.
iTrustCapital: Overview
Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Irvine, California, iTrustCapital is a self-directed IRA platform led by CEO Morgan Steckler. The service focuses on simplifying IRA access to alternative assets, namely cryptocurrency alongside physical gold and silver.

Trades execute at spot pricing, and the interface is designed to make account opening and investing approachable for both first-time and experienced IRA users. While there are notable strengths, limitations like a U.S.-only footprint and a curated (not open-ended) asset menu are worth understanding before you move funds.
If you’re comparing providers, I also maintain a short list of top gold IRA companies that’s helpful to review prior to initiating a rollover or transfer.
Augusta Precious Metals – WINNER
For physical metals IRAs, Augusta Precious Metals stands out for its education-first approach, strong customer reviews, and ongoing account support. It holds an A+ BBB rating and hundreds of five-star ratings. If metals are your focus, it’s a top pick to consider before you initiate a transfer.

What Sets iTrustCapital Apart
After opening and funding an account, these capabilities stood out during testing:
Crypto Access Inside an IRA
iTrustCapital supports a curated list of popular cryptocurrencies within an IRA, letting you pursue long-term exposure while maintaining IRA tax advantages. The menu focuses on widely traded assets rather than the entire crypto universe.
Available coins include 33 well-known names such as:
- Bitcoin
- Ethereum
- Solana
- XRP
- Cardano
- Dogecoin
- Avalanche
- Polkadot
- Polygon
- Chainlink
- Shiba Inu
- Litecoin
- Cosmos
- Bitcoin Cash
- Stellar
- Uniswap
- Hedera
- Maker
- The Graph
- Aave
- Quant
- Flow
- Axie Infinity
- Tezos
- Sandbox
- EOS
- Gala
- Chiliz
- Curve DAO
- Basic Attention
- Compound
- Sushi
- yearn.finance
Physical Metals and Secure Storage

Beyond crypto, you can buy physical gold and silver at spot pricing. Trades are executed through Kitco, a well-known precious metals broker. This partnership keeps the process straightforward while maintaining industry standards for sourcing and execution.
Kitco leverages Tradewind’s VaultChain platform to record and reconcile ownership on blockchain rails, aligning custody records with actual metal holdings. This helps ensure your IRA allocations match what’s ultimately delivered when you take distributions.
For storage, assets are held at the Royal Canadian Mint via Kitco’s storage relationship. Your metals are vaulted in a high-security facility, and the Mint’s reputation adds confidence around safekeeping and audits.
Regulated Custody and Infrastructure
Because iTrustCapital is a platform, it relies on Fortress Trust, a state-chartered trust company, to custody IRA assets. Fortress incorporates infrastructure from established providers like BitGo and Fireblocks, with routine security and operational reviews designed to protect client holdings.
Straightforward Experience
Self-directed IRAs give you more say over what you own. iTrustCapital streamlines the process—sign up online, choose your IRA type, fund it, and place trades. The dashboard is intuitive, making it easy to navigate positions and pricing even if you’re new to alternative assets.
If you get stuck, the help center is detailed and support is responsive by phone or email. I found it easy to resolve basic questions without long waits.
Security Practices

Your login and account access are protected by strong security layers designed to reduce the risk of unauthorized use.
Here are two key measures used by the platform:
- Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Every sign-in requires an extra verification step, so leaked credentials alone aren’t enough to access your account.
- Video Verification: During onboarding and offboarding, iTrustCapital schedules video calls to validate identity and prevent fraudulent access, adding a human check to the process.
How to Open and Fund an IRA at iTrustCapital
Account creation is streamlined and generally fast. Here’s the typical flow I experienced:
- Start an application by selecting “Open Account,” then enter your name, phone, email, and a secure password.
- Confirm your email address to activate the profile.
- Log in and complete your personal details and residency information.
- Choose your IRA type: Traditional, Roth, or SEP.
- Pick a funding method: employer-plan rollover, IRA-to-IRA transfer, or a new cash contribution.
Once funded, you can place trades in eligible cryptos or buy gold and silver at spot pricing. New accounts typically activate within one to three business days, though funding method can affect when you can start investing.
iTrustCapital Fees

Pricing is transparent and easy to understand. There are no account setup or monthly maintenance fees. Trading and conversion costs are as follows:
- Cryptocurrency trades: 1% per transaction
- Gold purchases: $50 over spot per ounce
- Silver purchases: $2.50 over spot per ounce
- Roth conversion: $75 one-time fee for converting a Traditional or SEP IRA
The platform requires a $1,000 minimum for your first investment, and subsequent contributions must be at least $500. This may feel high for those who prefer to test with smaller amounts.
iTrustCapital Ratings on Consumer Sites
| Consumer Protection Agency | Rating | Number of Reviews | Complaints in Past 12 Months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Better Business Bureau (BBB) | F | 2 | 7 |
| TrustPilot | 4.6/5 | 2,823 | 319 reviews that are below 4-star. |
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Beginner-friendly web platform plus iOS and Android apps
- Clear, competitive pricing with no monthly fees
- 24/7 trade access on a curated set of crypto assets
- Spot pricing for physical gold and silver
- Risk controls like stop-loss and limit orders
Cons
- Private self-custody of crypto is not supported
- Service is currently limited to U.S.-based investors
Final Verdict
Pairing crypto’s growth potential with gold and silver’s stability can make sense in a diversified retirement strategy. iTrustCapital brings both worlds into a single IRA, simplifying setup and day-to-day management.
Whether it’s the right fit depends on your priorities. Weigh the easy onboarding, straightforward pricing, and convenient trading against constraints like the limited asset menu and mixed consumer-site signals. If you’re still exploring, compare iTrustCapital with the leading precious metals IRA providers to find the best match for your needs.




