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iTrustCapital surpasses $5B in crypto IRA transactions

Individuals typically do not need to worry about capital gains taxes while trading in an IRA. For crypto investors, this could be an attractive feature.

Cryptocurrency individual retirement accounts (IRA) provider iTrustCapital revealed Wednesday that the total transaction volume on its platform had surpassed $5 billion, marking a 60% increase in nine months.

As told by iTrustCapital, many of its users, ranging from millennials to working professionals to senior citizens, are trading cryptocurrencies for the first time. The firm only charges a 1% buy-sell fee on cryptocurrency transactions. There are no monthly fees, and investors only need to deposit $1,000 to open an account. Through the platform, users can trade over 25 cryptocurrencies 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It also provides insurance coverage for deposits in the amount of $320 million, as per an agreement with Coinbase Custody. 

In the United States, IRAs enable individuals to save for retirement through tax-free capital accumulation or on a tax-deferred basis. Those with IRAs do not need to pay taxes on asset capital gains held within these accounts but may need to pay taxes on withdrawals when they reach retirement age, depending on account type. Early withdrawals are permitted with a 10% penalty, though this may be waived in certain circumstances, such as when using funds to pay for college. Since iTrustCapital's inception four years prior, the firm has attracted more than 35,000 clients with its crypto IRAs.

Related: Crypto IRA iTrustCapital raises $125M, pushes valuation over $1B

Cointelegraph previously reported that more than one-quarter of the surveyed U.S. millennials plan to use cryptocurrencies to fund their retirement. Some investors have observed that one doesn't have to pay the same amount of taxes when buying and selling crypto in retirement accounts compared with traditional trading accounts. This perceived advantage could attract more crypto investors to retirement plans such as IRAs. 

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Crypto IRA iTrustCapital raises $125M, pushes valuation over $1B

The company said it planned to use the funds for expanding its existing product and service line in addition to exploring strategic acquisitions.

Cryptocurrency individual retirement account and 401(k) provider iTrustCapital said it had raised $125 million in a growth equity investment, making its valuation reach $1.3 billion.

In a Wednesday announcement, iTrustCapital said it had completed a $125 million Series A growth equity investment led by New York-based VC firm Left Lane Capital. The company said it planned to use the funds for expanding its existing product and service line in addition to exploring strategic acquisitions.

"We are equally excited to partner with iTrustCapital to help support their mission to provide access to cryptocurrency and other alternative investment products through self-directed IRAs,” said Left Lane Capital board member Matthew Miller. “iTrustCapital serves clients that seek long-term, tax-advantaged exposure to cryptocurrency as an asset class.”

Providing access to 25 cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), and Cardano (ADA) in addition to physical gold and silver, iTrustCapital allows United States-based investors to incorporate crypto investments into their retirement portfolios. The company reported it had reached more than $4.5 billion in total transaction volume, with its client base including many working professionals from 45 to 65 years old.

Related: Crypto IRA integrates Coinbase Custody as trade volumes top $1.5B

Many investment platforms based in the U.S. have attempted to attract investors by offering tax-free options for holding or mining crypto. Under current U.S. tax law, income is often the only taxable source of funds for many who file returns, with many able to use questionable but legal methods to avoid paying the government.

In June 2021, ProPublica reported PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel had used a Roth IRA — an account generally not taxed — to invest $2,000 more than 20 years ago and turn it into a $5 billion fund. Offering “tax-advantaged” access to crypto through IRAs, iTrustCapital seems to be aiming for a similar way to reduce potential tax payments using crypto investments.

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