- Easy-to-use platform
- 24/7 access anywhere
- Multiple asset classes
- Available nationwide
- Limited customer reviews
- Setup and annual fees
My Digital Trust review compares the tax-advantaged account types and investment options available to individuals and businesses.
This IRA custodian serves some of the oldest cryptocurrency IRA providers and allows investors to buy other alternative asset classes.
The Verdict for Digital Trust
I’ve given them a rating of 8 out of 10.
| Criteria | Rating (out of 10) |
|---|---|
| Security Standards | 9 |
| Pricing & Fees | 7 |
| Asset Segregation | 8 |
| Insurance Coverage | 9 |
| Services & Offerings | 9 |
| Regulatory Compliance | 9 |
| Onboarding & Integration | 9 |
| Overall Rating | 8 |
In this review of Digital Trust, I’ve followed BIC’s detailed criteria for evaluating the crypto custodian.
About Digital Trust
Founded in 2021, Digital Trust is a custodian for self-directed IRAs to invest in alternative assets like cryptocurrency, precious metals, real estate, and private equity.
As an IRA custodian, the company is responsible for record keeping and producing year-end tax documents.
Co-founder and CEO Theresa Fette has extensive leadership experience with alternative asset investment platforms and self-directed retirement plan administrators.
The trust company has headquarters in Las Vegas and is regulated by the state of Nevada.
Digital Trust serves as custodian for several of the largest crypto IRA companies, ensuring your digital assets remain in a secure wallet.
The custodian supports Bitcoin and many altcoins with competitive fees.
Additionally, you can open a self-directed IRA or checkbook IRA directly through Digital Trust.
This option provides ample flexibility as you can hold many types of non-traditional assets in the same account.
Investors can open the following tax-advantaged retirement accounts:
- Individuals: Traditional, Roth, Inherited
- Businesses: SEP IRA, Simple IRA, Individual 401(k)
- Custodial: Individuals, Entities, Trust & Escrow
Financial advisors and investment professionals can also partner with the custodian to provide more investment choices to their clients.
Your Digital IRA portfolio is accessible through web and mobile-friendly platforms.
Security Standards
Digital Trust doesn’t explain its security practices or crypto vault provider on its public website.
Instead, the company focuses on asset and trust administration services. To learn the latest protocols, you must speak with an IRA specialist.
Typical standards include multi-factor authentication and video verification to prevent unauthorized logins or transactions. Third-party audits, such as SOC 2 Type 2, also look for security gaps.
The custodial cold storage wallets store your crypto keys through BitGo.
There are three keys and the custodian keeps them on file, so you won’t have to worry about losing access to your holdings like a self-custody wallet.
Pricing & Fees
Account fees and asset purchase fees apply. These expenses are respectable, but can be higher than those of other crypto-backed IRAs, which may waive annual service fees and charge lower trading fees.
Account Fees
A $50 setup fee applies to all accounts. One exception is for full distributions of inherited IRAs.
Additionally, individual accounts require a $375 annual fee. If you invest in multiple assets, an additional $75 fee per asset type applies.
| Setup Fee (all account types) | $50 (one-time) |
| Traditional and Roth IRAs | $375 (plus $75 per additional asset) |
| Inherited IRAs | $375 ($250 for full distribution/no setup fees required) |
| SEP IRA and Simple IRA | $475 (plus $75 per additional asset or participant) |
| Custodial accounts | $375 |
Crypto Asset Purchase Fees
Below are your fees to fund a cryptocurrency IRA and trade tokens.
| Setup fee | 2.99% on all fund deposits |
| Trading fee | 2.0% to buy or sell |
| Annual fee | 0.08% billed monthly |
| In-kind transfer out | 1% |
If you also decide to invest in physical assets, a $150 trading fee applies to real estate transactions. Precious metals incur $50 per buy or sell.
I consider the crypto setup and trading fees as above average and this platform’s greatest weakness.
Transaction Fees
Miscellaneous fees apply for account terminations, outgoing distributions, and less-common tasks such as document preparation and expedited processing.
| ACH | $35 |
| Outgoing domestic wire | $35 |
| Outgoing international wire | $50 |
| Check | $35 |
| Cashier’s Check | $50 |
| Roth conversion or recharacterization | $100 |
| Partial termination (50% or more of account) | $150 |
| Complete termination | $300 |
Find a crypto IRA company to help you take control over your retirement savings.
Asset Segregation
The assets from each cryptocurrency retirement account are kept separate from those of other investors.
Your assets are not borrowed against or don’t serve as collateral for debt obligations if the company goes out of business.
If you have multiple IRAs with Digital Trust, separate forms and position tracking for each account type are maintained.
For example, your crypto Roth IRA positions appear on different screens from your traditional IRA.
The above are standard asset segregation practices.
Insurance Coverage
Crypto assets can be eligible for up to $250 million of third-party custody insurance against loss, theft, and misuse.
Non-cryptocurrency holding can also be eligible for insurance, with benefits varying by asset type.
Uninvested cash deposits can be eligible for FDIC insurance.
Unfortunately, the retirement plan custodian doesn’t provide many specifics without speaking to a specialist.
Services & Offerings
Self-directed Bitcoin IRAs for individuals and businesses are the core feature of this passive, non-discretionary custodian.
These Digital IRA accounts also let you buy other alternative assets ineligible for a stock brokerage IRA.
It can be an all-in-one platform for investing outside the stock market.
Its user-friendly interface makes it easy to view wallet balances, and all administrative documents are accessible online.
Several articles also teach the basics of self-directed IRAs for investors who are just starting to accumulate alternative retirement assets.
Regulatory Compliance
Digital Trust is a state-chartered trust company registered in Nevada. It is regulated by the Nevada Financial Institutions Division.
The custodian maintains tax compliance documents for the IRS regulations regarding self-directed IRAs.
It also verifies applicants’ identities to adhere to current Know Your Customer (KYC) and anti-money laundering (AML) screening requirements.
One known complaint dates back to March 2024, when customer names and Social Security numbers were exposed during a data breach.
Unfortunately, there are minimal Digital Trust reviews from customers. The custodian has been Better Business Bureau (BBB) accredited since October 2024 and has an A+ rating.
Several consumer complaints focus on distribution fees and potential processing delays.
Onboarding & Integration
You can open a tax-advantaged account within one or two weeks through the following steps:
- Speak with a Digital IRA specialist: The initial step is filling out a form online with your name and contact information. You can also call the customer support number.
- Choose account types: Decide which tax-deferred and tax-free IRAs to open and complete the application paperwork. You can open one or multiple retirement accounts simultaneously but setup fees apply.
- Fund account: The minimum initial account balance is a budget-friendly $3,000. You can deposit new money, transfer an existing IRA, or roll over a 401(k). The account transfer process usually takes two weeks or less.
- Invest: You can start buying IRA-eligible crypto once your deposits clear. Additionally, you have 24/7 online access to your account.
- Pay annual account fees: The custodian invoices your annual account fee in the anniversary month each year. You will also pay fees on each buy and sell order.
Digital Trust Alternatives
These crypto custodians can deliver lower fees and more additional features.
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Our Rating:
4.8
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4.5
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Our Rating:
4.3
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BitGo
BitGo is one of the oldest cryptocurrency wallet services, used by over 1,500 institutions.
Custodial wallets offer up to $250 million in custodial insurance with hot and cold storage options. Self-custody wallets allow investors to keep their own crypto keys.
Fortress Trust
Fortress Trust provides custodial and self-custody wallets in 43 states. It uses several third-party security partners to safeguard crypto assets.
It’s a tad more affordable than Digital Trust, with $195 annual IRA fees and zero digital asset custody fees.
Coinbase Prime
Coinbase Prime is a full-service crypto exchange with access to over 430 tokens. Investors can access advanced research tools and insights that competing custodians may not offer.
Accounts are eligible for up to $320 million in insurance, vault storage, and on-chain wallets.
Is Digital Trust a custodian you can trust?
Digital Trust has reputable leadership and serves as custodian for some of the oldest and largest crypto IRA providers.
Several security measures safeguard your digital assets and you can easily access your account.
However, there are more affordable platforms for investing in Bitcoin.
FAQs
Who is the owner of Digital Trust?
Therese Fette is the co-founder and CEO.
Is your crypto FDIC insured?
No, although cryptocurrency assets can be eligible for digital crime insurance.
Additionally, uninvested cash balances are held with FDIC-insured bank partners.
How secure is my crypto with Digital Trust?
Digital Trust uses bank-level encryption and cold storage wallets through BitGo.
Crypto assets can also be eligible for custody insurance against loss, theft, and misuse.
Find a crypto IRA company to help you take control over your retirement savings.
Digital Trust
Digital Trust offers a technology-driven approach to self-directed retirement accounts.
Product Brand: Digital Trust
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