Interest in investment in alternative assets, including cryptocurrencies, precious metals, and real estate, has increased recently. Hence, self-directed Individual Retirement Accounts (SDIRAs), which enable investors to invest their IRA funds in these alternative assets, are witnessing increased traction. This guide compares two popular SDIRAs “Alto IRA vs iTrustCapital“.
Table of Contents
Alto IRA vs iTrustCapital: Summary
| FeaturesAlto IRA vs iTrustCapital | Alto IRA | iTrust Capital | |
| Monthly/Annual Fee | Zero | Zero | |
| Transaction Fee | 1% | 1% | |
| Minimum deposit to open an account | $10 | $1000 | |
| Wire Transfer Fee | $25 | I could not find it clearly mentioned in the iTrustCapital portal | |
| Cryptocurrencies supported | 200 plus cryptocurrencies through its integration with Coinbase. | 29 different cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ether, Litecoin, Ripple and more | |
| Type of alternate investments supported | Real estate, Metals, Commodities, Cryptocurrency, Equity, crowdfunding, Private equity lending, Startup lending, Conventional lending, Peer-to-peer lending | Physical gold, physical silver | |
| Cold Storage for cryptocurrencies | Coinbase which is the partner exchange with Alto keeps your cryptocurrencies in either hot or cold storage. | Coinbase which is the custody partner exchange with iTrustCapital keeps your cryptocurrencies in either hot or cold storage | |
| Insurance | a) Cash in Alto IRA FDIC insured up to $ 250,000 b) Coinbase offers a commercial crime policy of up to $320 million and a cybercrime policy of up to $3 million. | Digital assets are secured by custodians Fireblocks and Coinbase. Commercial crime policy of up to $320 million. | |
| Minimum deposit needed to open an account | $10 | $1000 | |
| Staking |
Alto IRA vs iTrustCapital: Detailed Comparison
Now let us conduct a detailed comparison of the two SDIRAs: Alto IRA and iTrustCapital.
Fees and Charges
The table below gives a complete snapshot of the fees and charges associated with the two SDIRA platforms.
| Charges | Alto IRA | iTrustCapital |
| Monthly and Annual Fee | Zero | Zero |
| Transaction Fee | 1% | 1% |
| Wire Transfer Fee | $25 | Could not find it. To be checked. |
| The minimum deposit needed to open an account | $10 | $1000 |
Cryptocurrencies supported
Alto IRA
Alto crypto IRA allows you to invest in 200 plus crypto coins through its integration with Coinbase.
Some of the popular crypto coins offered by Alto crypto IRA are:
- ADA
- Bitcoin
- Dogecoin
- Ethereum
- Matic
- Mana
- Shiba Inu and more………
Please visit here to check all the cryptocurrencies supported by Alto crypto IRA. In addition to cryptocurrencies, Alto crypto IRA also lets you invest in precious metals like Gold.
iTrustCapital
29 different cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ether, Litecoin, Ripple and more.
Types of alternate investments supported
Alto IRA
Alto IRA allows you to invest the funds in your IRA account to alternative investments like startups, farmlands, art, precious metals, and more.
Alto IRA has partners to facilitate these alternative investments.
Some of the notable partners are AcreTrader (Real Estate Investing), AngelList (startups), CapitalEngine (capital markets), FarmTogether (farmlands), and more.
iTrustCapital
Apart from cryptocurrencies, iTrustCapital allows investing in Gold, Silver, and other precious metals.
Security and Insurance of funds
Alto IRA
Alto IRA has implemented multiple measures to make your cryptocurrencies secure.
Two factor authentication: Alto IRA offers two-factor authentication powered by Authy or Google Authenticator.
Security for cryptocurrencies: In Alto IRA, cryptocurrencies or tokens are bought and sold using Coinbase (when you choose Alto crypto IRA).
Coinbase keeps your digital assets in hot or cold storage.
Insurance: Digital assets with Coinbase are protected by a commercial crime policy of up to $320 million. Furthermore, digital assets with Coinbase are protected by a cybercrime policy of up to $3 million
On the other hand, Alto is the custodian of your assets and funds. You do not directly own your assets and funds. Although Alto claims that your funds and assets are kept separately and are not used in its own operations.
iTrustCapital
iTrustCapital partners with Coinbase, which offers Coinbase Custody to your digital assets up to $370 million.
Gold and Silver are held at the Royal Canadian Mint and traded on VaultChain, a secure blockchain-distributed ledger.
Staking
iTrustCapital crypto IRA gives you the option to stake Polkadot (DOT). Currently, it needs a minimum of 5 DOT to start staking.
At the end of the staking period, which is 90 days, for now, any rewards earned by iTrustCapital by staking your Polkadot, will be distributed among those who chose the option to stake their Polkadot.
Please note that there is no guarantee of staking rewards. Staking rewards are dependent on several factors including the cryptocurrency’s current prices. The reward shown in the user interface is only indicative.
iTrustCapital charges a staking fee of 20%.
However, Alto IRA does not allow staking.
Alto IRA vs iTrustCapital: Pros and Cons
Alto IRA: Pros and Cons
iTrustCapital: Pros and Cons
Alto IRA vs iTrustCapital: Conclusion
In conclusion, both the SDIRAs, allow investing in alternative asset classes like cryptocurrencies, real estate, precious metals, startups, and more.
However, they offer a few unique features which make them suitable for different individuals with different requirements.
If you are looking to invest in cryptocurrencies, Alto IRA allows you to choose from a list of 200 cryptocurrencies and tokens at a low rate. However, iTrustCapital also allows staking your cryptocurrencies purchased using your IRA funds.
