Crypto in your IRA? Yeah, that’s real now.
Fidelity just launched a new crypto retirement plan, and it might be one of the biggest shifts we’ve seen in traditional finance in years. It started April 2, 2025, and it’s already turning heads. You can now invest in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin inside a tax-advantaged IRA. No opening fees. No monthly fees. Zero for custody.
But wait—does that mean it’s actually free?
Well, not exactly.
What is this thing, really?
It’s called the Fidelity Crypto IRA. It’s just like a regular IRA—Roth, Traditional, or Rollover—but it lets you hold crypto instead of stocks or bonds. You can’t walk in and buy any random altcoin, though. Right now, it’s just the big three: Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin.
This is for U.S. citizens only, and you gotta be over 18. Also, Fidelity only offers it in certain states, so not everyone’s invited. You’ll need to link it to a Fidelity brokerage IRA to fund it. That’s where your dollars come from. If you don’t already have one, you’ll need to set it up.
Why is this such a big deal?
Crypto and retirement don’t usually end up in the same sentence. One’s seen as risky. The other’s meant to be safe. But more people want exposure to digital assets without the stress of exchanges, passwords, cold wallets, and random apps. This new plan gives them that—in a secure and regulated way.
Fidelity is one of the largest asset managers in the world. When they do something like this, other firms usually follow. This could start a trend.
Let’s talk about the “no fees” thing
Okay, so there’s no cost to open, maintain, or store your crypto inside this IRA. And that’s rare. Most crypto platforms charge you for something.
But—and it’s a big but—Fidelity does charge a 1% spread when you buy or sell crypto. That means you’re getting a slightly worse price when you trade. If Bitcoin is at $50,000, you’re actually paying $50,500. Same when you sell. It’s built into the transaction.
So, technically, it’s not a fee. But it kinda is.
And if you plan to trade often? That 1% adds up real quick.
Is your crypto safe in this thing?
Yeah, it actually is.
Fidelity uses cold storage for most of the crypto. That means your assets are kept in offline wallets, nowhere near the internet. Harder to hack. Safer from bugs and attacks. It’s all managed by Fidelity Digital Assets, which is basically their high-security crypto arm.
This isn’t some shady offshore exchange. It’s regulated. It’s U.S.-based. And it’s Fidelity.
So who is this for?
Honestly, not everyone.
If you’re scared of crypto volatility, this might not be for you. Even Fidelity says this is for people with high risk tolerance. If you panic every time Bitcoin drops 15% overnight, you probably won’t sleep well with this thing in your retirement plan.
But if you’re already into crypto and want to legally reduce your taxes, this might be worth looking into.
Especially if you like the idea of long-term holding in a cold storage account with no maintenance fees.
And what about Litecoin?
Yeah, that one kinda surprised people.
Most crypto IRA plans just go with BTC and ETH. Fidelity added Litecoin too. It’s not as popular as the other two, but maybe they see something. Or maybe they just want to give investors another solid choice that’s been around a while.
Either way, it makes the offering a little more interesting.
How are people reacting?
Crypto Twitter’s already buzzing. Posts from accounts like @alldexone and @litecoin are all over the place. Some are excited about the no-fee setup. Others are just glad to see big names like Fidelity finally doing more in the space.
And remember—Fidelity’s already running spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs. They’re testing a stablecoin. They even applied to list a Solana ETF. So this isn’t some random one-off product. It’s part of a larger strategy.
How does it stack up against other platforms?
Compared to places like Coinbase or BitIRA? It’s cheaper on the surface.
Fidelity’s 1% spread is usually lower than the fees on exchanges, which can go up to 4% depending on how you pay. Plus, you get the peace of mind of institutional custody. That’s not nothing.
Still, Fidelity doesn’t offer as many coins. No staking. No DeFi tools. If you want full control and lots of tokens, this isn’t for you.
But if you want a simple, regulated way to hold Bitcoin in your IRA, it’s probably one of the best choices out there right now.
Before you jump in… ask yourself:
- Do I already have a Fidelity IRA?
- Am I okay with only having 3 crypto options?
- Can I handle big price swings in my retirement account?
- Do I care more about security or features?
- Am I in a state that allows this?
If you said yes to most of those, it might be time to give this a serious look.
The Bottom Line
The Fidelity Crypto IRA is simple. It’s clean. It’s secure. And for long-term holders, it might be exactly what they’ve been waiting for.
But don’t get blinded by the “no-fee” headline. The 1% spread is real. And if you’re not in it for the long haul, the costs can pile up.
Still, it’s a big step for crypto. And it might just push retirement planning into a whole new era.
If you’re interested, check your state, set up a Fidelity brokerage IRA, and start learning. The resources are there. So is the help. And the opportunity’s already live.
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