Use Your HSA to Invest in What You Know and Save $50
Directed IRA is excited to help members of the Bitcoin HSA community grow their investment portfolios by utilizing self-directed retirement accounts.
- Use Promo Code for a special discount: BITCOIN50
How to Invest in Crypto with Your IRA
Open a Crypto HSA at Directed IRA
• Fill out and e-sign a Crypto Account Agreement and provide a copy of your government-issued ID (such as a driver’s license or passport).
• If you already have an account with Gemini (personal or other account), you will need to use a different email address at Gemini for your new Crypto HSA.
Fund Your Account
• Transfer or rollover existing retirement account funds or make a new contribution.
• A member of our dedicated Funding team will contact you to help process a transfer or rollover to ensure your account is funded.
• Your application will also authorize the initial investment amount from your Directed IRA account to fund your Gemini trading account. As funds arrive in your Directed IRA account, they will be invested and funded into your Gemini trading account in USD and ready to trade.
Directed IRA sets up a Gemini Trading Account
• Once your application is reviewed, Directed IRA sets up a Gemini trading account for your IRA.
Gemini Login
• You will receive an email from Gemini with login and onboarding instructions to access and use your new Gemini Crypto Trading Account. Gemini is the trading account and wallet we will fund from your Crypto IRA and where you will trade Crypto.
Start Investing
• Trade and store your cryptocurrency using your IRA owned Gemini account.
Pricing & Fee Schedules
- New Account Establishment Fee (One-Time) — $50
- Annual Account Fee — $295
- Trade Fee — 0.50% (50 basis points) per trade
Directed Trust Company
Directed IRA is a Tradename of Directed Trust Company and operates as a regulated trust company based in Phoenix, Arizona. Directed Trust Company follows strict capital requirements and undergoes annual outside audits by third-party CPAs.
Licensed & Regulated
Directed Trust Company is an Arizona Trust Company licensed by the AZDIFI, License No TC-0947181. Annual examination by AZDIFI bank examiners.
Audited & Examined
Not all of our competitors are licensed, regulated, and audited.
ABA Membership & Industry Credentialed Team
We are a member of the AMerican Bankers Association. All uninvested customers cash is deposited with FDIC insured banks. Members of our team have the following IRA designations – CISP, CIP, and SDIP.
Directed IRA is a Tradename of Directed Trust Company. Directed Trust Company performs the duties of a directed custodian, and as such does not provide due diligence to third parties on prospective investments, platforms, sponsors or service providers, and does not sell investments or provide investment, legal, or tax advice. Directed Trust Company is not an FDIC-insured financial institution. Alternative investments are not insured by the FDIC; are not deposits or other obligations of, or guaranteed by Directed Trust Company or any of its divisions; and are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested. While uninvested funds in certain types of Directed Trust Company accounts may be eligible for FDIC pass-through deposit insurance, certain conditions must be satisfied for such insurance coverage to apply. 2025 Directed Trust Company
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Trade fee work?
The trade fee is 0.50% (50 basis points) for each trade so long as you use Gemini ActiveTrader interface. When using the Gemini ActiveTrader interface with your Directed IRA account you fee will be .50% (50 basis points). For example, a $10,000 trade would be subject to a trade fee of $20.00. In order to obtain the .5% trade fee, you must use the ActiveTrader interface and trade platform when conducting your trades and not the mobile app or web interface as those fees platforms do not qualify for our negotiated fee schedule and will instead result in a trade fee charged by Gemini of up to 1.5% (150 basis points).
If you trade on the mobile app or Basic Web trade interfaces with Gemini, this will result in higher fees per trade. What about Storage Fees? No. There are no additional storage fees to store your crypto on the Gemini exchange.
What crypto can I buy in my IRA?
Directed IRA’s relationship with Gemini allows account holders to self-direct into any cryptocurrency currently offered on the Gemini Exchange. Crypto IRAs can invest in Bitcoin, Ether, Tether, XRP, Solana, and more.
I already have an account at Directed IRA with other self-directed assets—can I trade crypto with this account?
No. To invest in crypto with an IRA, account holders must set up a new IRA specifically for crypto trading. Crypto IRAs are not a unique “type” of IRA; however, crypto accounts require a different system, compliance process, and procedures. Each Crypto IRA requires a Gemini Trading Account to be set up under the new IRA (we’ll handle that for you).
Can I make other self-directed investments with my Crypto IRA?
No. But, you can easily transfer cash from your Crypto IRA to any other Self-Directed IRA held at Directed IRA.
How much would it cost to buy $10,000 of crypto inside my Crypto IRA?
Crypto trades in a Crypto IRA are subject to a 0.50% Trade Processing Fee. This trade fee is inclusive of Gemini’s ActiveTrader fee schedule and Directed IRA. For a $10,000 trade, the total cost would be $50.
How are cryptocurrency gains taxed?
The IRS issued IRS Notice 2014-21 addressing the taxation of Bitcoin and cryptocurrency and stated that Bitcoin and other forms of virtual currency are considered property. The sale of property by an IRA is generally treated as capital gain, so the buying and selling of cryptocurrency for investment purposes would not trigger Unrelated Business Income Tax (UBIT) or other adverse tax consequences that can occasionally arise in an IRA.
How are my cryptocurrencies protected?
You can learn more about Gemini’s controls, audits, and protections here. There is no FDIC insurance and no guarantees. Crypto is an investment subject to loss of the entire principal amount.
Do I have access to my private keys?
No. At this time you cannot have access to your own keys. If this is something you want then you’ll need to use the IRA/LLC structure instead and that structure is more costly and you’ll need an attorney to advise you. We have educational content and videos outlining that structure and can refer you to experienced attorneys in that area.
How long after I've funded my account at Directed IRA before I can start trading?
Once you’ve funded your Crypto IRA and those funds have cleared at Directed, Directed will send your funds to your Gemini account where you’ll have full control and responsibility to make trades. The standard processing time is 3 business days after your Crypto IRA has been funded.
Can I purchase Cryptocurrency not listed on the Gemini Exchange?
No. If this is something you want then you’ll need to use the IRA/LLC structure instead.
Which Gemini Exchange Trade Interface should I use?
The ActiveTrader Advanced Interface. Please note this interface is only available on the desktop or mobile browser (not the Gemini mobile app). Your Gemini trading fees will be much higher (up to and above 1.5%) if you use the Gemini Mobile app or the Basic Gemini Web Trade Interface. Please ensure you are in Gemini’s ActiveTrader Advanced Interface to get their preferred pricing. If you move to the Basic Gemini Interface or use the Gemini Mobile app you will be charged higher fees by Gemini.
What about Crypto IRA/LLC?
Crypto IRA/LLCs are an option for those who want to hold their crypto private keys, buy alternative crypto not available on the Gemini Exchange, or who want to use other wallets or trade other types of crypto. Learn more.
More Resources on investing in Crypto using an IRA
Beginner’s Guide: How to Self-Direct Your IRA
