Frequently Asked Questions

A managed crypto IRA is a self-directed Individual Retirement Account that holds digital assets like Bitcoin, with professional portfolio management included. Unlike self-directed platforms where you make every decision yourself, BlockTrustIRA’s AI system monitors and rebalances your portfolio 24/7. Your assets are held in a tax-advantaged retirement account with institutional custody through sFOX. Learn more on our Managed IRA page.

The process starts with a consultation call. During that 15-to-20-minute conversation, we discuss your retirement goals and determine if a managed crypto IRA is appropriate for your situation. If you choose to proceed, we handle the paperwork and custodian setup. There is no setup fee and the onboarding process is typically completed within a few business days. Schedule a consultation to begin.

Yes. You can roll over funds from an existing 401(k), Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SEP IRA, or other qualified retirement accounts. The rollover process is tax-free when handled correctly, and our team guides you through every step. No funds are liquidated or taxed during a direct rollover. For a detailed walkthrough, see our 401(k) Rollover Guide.

We discuss minimums during your consultation call because they depend on your specific situation and goals. There is no setup fee and no closure fee, so you are not penalized for starting a conversation. Our focus is on investors who view crypto as a long-term retirement allocation, not short-term speculation. Contact us for current details.

Most accounts are fully set up within five to seven business days. The timeline depends on how quickly your existing custodian processes the rollover paperwork. Our team manages the process from start to finish and provides updates at each stage. Once funded, the Animus AI system begins monitoring your portfolio immediately. See our How It Works page for the full process.

Your assets are held by sFOX, a regulated prime dealer and qualified custodian for digital assets. sFOX provides institutional cold storage with multi-signature authorization for every transaction. Your crypto is legally separated from BlockTrustIRA. Even if our company ceased operations, your assets would remain in your name under qualified custody. Read more about our security architecture.

sFOX maintains $200M in custody insurance coverage. This is a specific, verifiable number, not a vague marketing claim. The insurance protects assets held in custody against theft, security breaches, and other covered events. We encourage you to ask any other provider for their specific insurance figure. If they cannot give you one, consider what that means. Details are on our Security page.

Your assets are held by sFOX under qualified custody, legally separated from BlockTrustIRA’s business operations. If BlockTrustIRA ceased to exist, your assets would remain exactly where they are. You would retain full ownership and could transfer them to another custodian or manager. This legal separation is a fundamental design choice, not an afterthought. Learn more about our custody structure.

Yes. The vast majority of assets are held in institutional cold storage, meaning they are stored offline and inaccessible to internet-based attacks. Multi-signature authorization is required for any asset movement. Only the portion needed for active trading is maintained in warm wallets, and those amounts are minimized. This is the same custody model used by institutional investors. See our Security page for details.

Exchanges hold your assets on their balance sheet. If the exchange fails, your assets may be at risk. BlockTrustIRA uses a qualified custodian where your assets are legally yours, not the custodian’s. We do not commingle client funds. Your crypto is held in segregated custody with full legal protections. This distinction is critical for retirement assets. Our safety guide explains this in detail.

Crypto held inside an IRA grows tax-deferred (Traditional IRA) or tax-free (Roth IRA). This means the AI system can rebalance your portfolio without triggering capital gains taxes on each trade. Outside an IRA, every trade is a taxable event. Inside an IRA, your portfolio compounds without the drag of annual tax obligations. See our full guide on crypto IRA tax advantages.

Yes. Self-directed IRAs have been permitted to hold alternative assets, including digital assets, under existing IRS regulations. The IRS treats cryptocurrency as property for tax purposes. A crypto IRA is a self-directed IRA that holds digital assets through a qualified custodian. BlockTrustIRA operates within established regulatory frameworks. Our beginner’s guide covers the regulatory landscape.

Yes. Your qualified custodian provides all necessary tax documentation, including annual account statements and any required IRS reporting. Because trades occur inside a tax-advantaged IRA structure, you do not need to report individual trades on your annual tax return. The custodian handles reporting obligations. We recommend consulting your tax professional for guidance specific to your situation.

Yes. You can make annual contributions up to the IRS limits for your account type. Contribution limits are set by the IRS and may change annually. You can also perform additional rollovers from other qualified retirement accounts at any time. Our team can walk you through contribution options during your consultation. See our tax advantages guide for current limits.

Traditional IRAs are subject to Required Minimum Distributions starting at the age specified by current IRS rules. Roth IRAs are generally not subject to RMDs during the account holder’s lifetime. Your custodian will notify you when RMDs apply. Our team can help you understand how RMDs interact with a managed crypto allocation. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice specific to your circumstances.