Unchained solved the puzzle everyone said was impossible: a real IRA where the bitcoin sits in a 2-of-3 multisig vault and you hold two of the keys. No setup fee, a flat $250/yr regardless of balance, Traditional/Roth/SEP/Inherited support. Trading costs more (~1–1.5%) and minimum trades are $2,000 — the premium for not trusting anyone.
From unchained.com, June 2026. Re-verify before publishing.
How keys work inside an IRA
The IRA’s bitcoin sits in a 2-of-3 multisig: two keys on hardware devices you control, one held by Unchained. You physically co-sign any movement of your retirement bitcoin — "not your keys, not your coins" finally applies to a tax-advantaged account.
The flat-fee math
$250/yr is steep on a $10,000 account (2.5%) and a rounding error on $500,000 (0.05%). Custodial rivals charge nothing annually but leave you fully exposed to their solvency and security. The bigger your balance, the more obviously Unchained wins.
The honest workload
You will set up two hardware wallets, verify addresses, and participate in signing ceremonies. Unchained’s concierge team makes it manageable, and their support through it is the best we encountered in the category — but this is a hands-on product by design.
Use it if…
Your retirement bitcoin is substantial and "not your keys" applies to your IRA too.
Skip it if…
Your balance is small (flat fee bites) or you want zero hands-on work — iTrustCapital.
Common questions
Is holding my own IRA keys IRS-compliant?
Unchained structures it with a qualified custodian and the multisig vault; the model has operated publicly since 2020. Get personal advice from a tax professional, but the structure is established.
What if I lose a hardware key?
Unchained’s key plus your remaining key recovers the vault, then you rotate in a new device. Losing one key is an inconvenience, not a catastrophe.
Can I roll over an old 401(k)?
Yes — the standard tax-free rollover applies, and their team shepherds the paperwork.