Fidelity Investments, one of the world’s largest financial institutions with $5.9 trillion in assets under management, has launched a suite of crypto-enabled retirement accounts that offer U.S. investors a way to gain exposure to digital assets with low fees and institutional-grade security.
The company now offers three types of Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) through its Fidelity Digital Assets subsidiary:
- A traditional tax-deferred IRA
- A Roth IRA
- A Rollover Roth IRA
Each account allows users to buy and sell Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Litecoin (LTC). While there are no fees to open or maintain the accounts, Fidelity charges a 1% spread on crypto trade execution prices.
To protect client funds, Fidelity holds the majority of its crypto in cold storage, meaning the digital assets are kept in offline wallets not connected to the internet, reducing risk of hacking or theft.
Fidelity Digital Assets previously focused on institutional clients, but this launch marks a major expansion to retail investors, offering a more accessible entry point for Americans looking to diversify their retirement holdings with digital currencies.
Crypto IRAs Signal a Shifting Landscape
Though owning cryptocurrencies in an IRA has never been outright banned, it has been rarely supported by traditional retirement account providers. Fidelity’s move may be a turning point for crypto adoption in retirement planning.
According to Investopedia, most IRA providers have historically avoided direct crypto offerings, making Fidelity’s launch notable as a potential industry trendsetter.
Meanwhile, U.S. investors have gained other forms of crypto exposure in retirement portfolios in recent years. Since 2024, spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs have provided tax-advantaged ways to participate in crypto markets through traditional brokerage accounts.
In addition to Fidelity’s offering, companies like BitIRA have rolled out self-directed IRAs that allow users to invest in a wider array of digital assets, including altcoins like LTC. These products are typically marketed to investors seeking tax-advantaged crypto exposure and greater control over their investment choices.
The momentum for crypto in retirement accounts appears to be growing. On April 1, Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama reintroduced legislation to allow Americans to include cryptocurrency in their 401(k) retirement plans, potentially scaling back restrictions currently imposed by the Department of Labor.
A Broader Shift in Retirement Investing
Fidelity’s launch is part of a larger movement redefining how Americans save and invest for retirement. With growing institutional support for digital assets, rising demand for crypto-native financial products, and ongoing legislative developments, crypto may become a mainstream option for long-term wealth building.
As the lines between traditional finance and digital assets continue to blur, Fidelity’s crypto IRAs could represent not just a product launch, but a signal that the future of retirement investing is changing.
