Alternative IRA Guide

Self-directed IRAs let you invest in alternatives like real estate, precious metals, private equity, and even crypto — all within a tax-advantaged retirement account. From Bitcoin IRAs to gold and precious metals IRAs, the options extend far beyond traditional stocks and bonds. Understanding prohibited transactions, custodian requirements, and contribution limits is essential before opening an SDIRA. Review our tax guides to learn how tax-deferred and tax-free growth can supercharge your retirement savings.

Hold Bitcoin and other crypto in an IRA for tax-advantaged growth. Learn the setup, custodians, fee structures, and whether a Bitcoin IRA makes sense for your retirement plan. Platforms like iTrustCapital and Alto Crypto give you access to the crypto market inside a tax-sheltered wrapper, but fees and limited coin selection are key trade-offs. If you're new to self-directed accounts, start with our Alternative IRA 101 guide, and explore a Roth conversion strategy to maximise tax-free crypto gains.

Own rental property, land, or real estate funds within your IRA. All rental income and appreciation grows tax-deferred (traditional) or tax-free (Roth). The rules are strict but the benefits are massive. Prohibited transactions and UDFI taxes on leveraged property add complexity, so working with an experienced SDIRA custodian is critical. Our Alternative IRA 101 guide covers the custodian landscape, while our tax guides explain how UBIT and UDFI affect IRA-held property. Consider pairing real estate with a Roth conversion strategy to lock in tax-free growth on appreciated assets.

A precious metals IRA lets you hold physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium in a tax-advantaged account. Learn IRS purity requirements, custodian selection, and storage rules. Gold serves as a portfolio hedge against inflation and market downturns — track live pricing on our commodities market page. For a broader understanding of self-directed accounts, see our Alternative IRA 101 guide, and explore a Roth conversion strategy to move precious metals into a tax-free account during price dips.

Converting a traditional IRA to a Roth during a bear market (when alternative asset values are depressed) lets you pay taxes on the low valuation and enjoy tax-free growth on the recovery. This strategy is especially powerful for volatile assets like Bitcoin IRAs and illiquid holdings like real estate IRAs that may carry valuation discounts. Timing conversions across multiple tax years can keep you in a lower bracket — consult our tax guides for detailed planning strategies. Read our Alternative IRA 101 for foundational knowledge on self-directed retirement accounts.