Finance Guide

Where to Put Your Crypto (Besides an Exchange)

From Bitcoin IRAs to crypto-backed mortgages — here's where the traditional financial world is opening up, and what each option costs.

Last verified: Oct 22, 2026 ·

Sources

· How we compare

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Tax-Advantaged

Crypto IRAs

Self-directed IRAs that can hold crypto inside a tax-advantaged account. IRA contribution, rollover, and withdrawal rules still apply.

iTrustCapital

Source

Trading fees: 1% per crypto trade (buy or sell)
Account fees: $0 setup, $0 monthly, $0 annual

Fits people who want a flat per-trade fee and no account fees.

1% transaction fee on crypto buys and sells.
No setup, monthly, annual or exit fees listed.
$0 commission on stock trades.

Cons

IRA contribution and withdrawal rules still apply
Self-directed IRA setup takes more paperwork than a standard brokerage account

Visit iTrustCapital

Bitcoin IRA

Source

Trading fees: 2% trading fee; 0.08%/mo on digital assets
Account fees: $0 setup, $0 deposit

Fits people who want a provider that focuses on crypto IRAs.

$0 setup fee and $0 deposit fee.
2% trading fee on each buy or sell.
0.08% monthly fee on digital assets held.

Cons

Trading fee is higher than a 1% per-trade model
Ongoing monthly fee on digital assets

Visit Bitcoin IRA

Equity Trust

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Trading fees: 1% per buy or sell; 0.05%/mo on crypto held ($20 min)
Account fees: $0 setup (self-traded crypto IRA)

Fits people who want crypto alongside other alternative assets at one custodian.

Self-traded crypto IRA: $0 setup, 1% per buy or sell, and a 0.05% monthly fee on crypto under custody ($20 minimum).
Also offers an automated crypto IRA for BTC and ETH; check site for its fees.
Holds crypto alongside other self-directed IRA assets such as real estate and private equity.

Cons

Monthly custody fee applies to crypto holdings
Less streamlined than platforms built only for crypto IRAs

Visit Equity Trust

401(k) plans: Executive Order 14330, signed Aug 7, 2025, directed the Labor Department to revisit guidance on alternative assets in 401(k) plans, including funds that invest in digital assets. The order does not by itself add crypto to any plan; whether a plan offers it is up to each employer's plan. Read the order.

Borrow

Crypto-Backed Loans

Loans secured by crypto. Borrowing is generally not a sale, but if the collateral's value falls far enough the lender can liquidate it, and that sale can be taxable.

Ledn

Source

Rate: APR: Check site (rates page)
LTV / financing: 50% LTV at origination
Term: 12-month term
Collateral: BTC-focused

Fits bitcoin holders who want a fixed-term loan with published rate tiers.

Loans typically start at 50% LTV with a 12-month term; minimum loan $500.
APR is tiered by loan size, with lower rates for larger loans. See Ledn's rates page for current figures.
Ledn publishes Proof of Reserves reports.

Visit Ledn

Nexo

Source

Rate: Check site
LTV / financing: Check site
Collateral: Multiple assets

Fits people who want a credit line and an exchange in one custodial account.

Nexo's US offering runs through a partnership with Bakkt; Nexo returned to the US in February 2026.
Availability varies by jurisdiction, eligibility and loyalty tier.

Visit Nexo

Milo

Source

Rate: Check site
LTV / financing: Up to 100% financing
Term: 30-year fixed
Collateral: BTC, ETH

Fits people who want to buy a home using crypto as collateral instead of selling it.

Crypto-backed mortgage with a 30-year fixed term.
Up to 100% financing with no down payment, using bitcoin or ether as collateral.
Not available in all states.

Visit Milo

Unchained

Source

Rate: Check site
LTV / financing: Check site
Term: 12-payment terms
Collateral: Bitcoin only

Fits bitcoin holders who want a multisig-secured loan.

Loans for individuals, trusts and businesses.
Minimums: $150,000 for business entities and $500,000 for individuals and trusts.
All loans are 12-payment terms with interest-only payments every 30 days.
Collateral sits in a 2-of-3 multisig: Unchained, Fortis Bank and the borrower each hold one key.

Visit Unchained

Mortgages and crypto: On June 25, 2025, the FHFA ordered Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to prepare proposals to count cryptocurrency as an asset for reserves in single-family mortgage risk assessments, without converting it to US dollars.

In March 2026, Better and Coinbase launched a Fannie Mae-eligible product in which bitcoin or USDC secures a separate loan for the down payment; Fannie Mae buys the first mortgage like any other conforming loan. Better and Coinbase announced general availability on Aug 26, 2026.

Banking

Banks and apps that commonly work with crypto exchanges (policies change; confirm with the bank)

Banks and apps can review, limit, or close accounts under their own terms. Read each provider's terms before moving money to or from an exchange.

Mercury

Source

A fintech for businesses, not a bank; banking is provided by Choice Financial Group and Column N.A., Members FDIC. Mercury says it has no express restrictions on buying crypto through a Mercury account, and accounts hold only US dollars. Account policies can change.

Visit Mercury

Cash App

Source

Buy and hold bitcoin in the app and send it over the Lightning Network. You may need to verify your identity before your first bitcoin purchase. Unverified accounts can send and receive up to $1,000 per rolling 30 days, with a $1,500 total account limit; verified accounts can send up to $40,000 per rolling 30 days.

Cash App account limits

Discontinued / historical

A crypto-and-cash neobank that earlier appeared on this page has since shut down, citing the 2024 Synapse and Evolve Bank & Trust breakdown.

Educational only. Fees and terms change; confirm with each provider. Affiliate disclosure.