Our weekly crypto derivatives analytics report delves into macro events; the current state of crypto and trading signals from spot trading volume; and futures, options and perpetual contracts.

At the start of the week, Bitcoin showed signs of decoupling from US equities. However, US president Trump's positive remarks about the US-China trade war (which had included a 145% tariff on Chinese goods) triggered a relief rally across markets. As a result, BTC has resumed moving up with US equities. 

This rally has led to a rise in short-tenor implied volatility and a recovery in BTC’s put-call skew, indicating that traders are seeking upside exposure.

Please check out the report’s highlights.

Perp open interest rises across the board

Perpetual open interest increased significantly this week across various tokens, especially ETH. Perpetual trading volumes also rose. Notably, Ap 7, 2025 recorded the highest trade volume of the month, following Trump's comment, "Forget markets for a second, we have all the advantages."

BTC option open interest shows a mixed picture; put-call skew in short tenor sends positive signals

President Trump’s recent willingness to negotiate a trade deal with China’s President Xi triggered a relief rally across asset classes, including crypto. Bitcoin had already risen 7% since Apr 21, 2025, prior to Trump's comments. Despite this rally, open interest in puts has outpaced calls, with options volume remaining relatively balanced. 

It's unclear if the demand for puts reflects a hedge against downside risks, or a bet against the upward movement. Meanwhile, perpetual funding rates are providing limited insight into sentiment. However, the recovery of the put-call skew at short tenors indicates that traders are seeking upside exposure to the rally — and are willing to pay for it.

ETH unexpectedly outperforms BTC in this relief rally

ETH's response to the recent crypto market recovery has diverged from previous trends: it outperformed BTC in spot prices, a rarity in past rallies, and open interest in calls exceeds that in puts — opposite to BTC's trend. In addition, ETH call open interest is nearly double that of puts, with calls dominating options volumes. This suggests traders anticipate ETH will reduce its significant underperformance against both BTC and other “ETH killers” like SUI and SOL. Additionally, the spot rally has led to another term structure inversion for ETH.

Advanced

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Bybit X Block Scholes crypto derivatives analytics report (Apr 24, 2025): Put-call skew recovers at short tenors, showing reviving sentiment

Explore all the hottest Bybit events happening during the week of TOKEN2049 Dubai in this article.

It’s that time of year again — TOKEN2049 Dubai is back, and the city is buzzing with excitement. As one of the most anticipated events on the crypto calendar, it’s not just about the main conference; it’s about everything happening around it, too. From side events and workshops to exclusive mixers and demo days, Bybit is showing up in full force this year. Here's your inside look at what to expect during this action-packed week.

The heart of TOKEN2049 Week, TOKEN2049 Dubai promises two full days of future-facing discussions and innovation in the world of crypto. At the center of it all is Bybit’s immersive booth experience, built on the theme 

. It’s not just a theme — it’s a vibe. Picture claw machines, 

If you’re heading to TOKEN2049 Dubai, be sure to drop by the Bybit booth (located at P33) and chat with our extraordinary Bybit team! And don’t miss your chance to grab a gacha token by scanning our QR code with Bybit Pay. You could walk away with exclusive Bybit merch! 

DMCC x VARA: Crypto regulations and business growth

Policy meets progress at this exclusive evening event co-hosted by DMCC and VARA. This gathering brings together regulators and industry leaders for an open discussion on the future of digital asset compliance and business growth in the region.

You can expect sharp insights, candid perspectives and forward-thinking dialogue about what it really takes to scale a crypto business in a regulated environment. If you care about the future of web3 in the UAE, this is one event to mark on your calendar.

Bybit After Hours: Exclusive Insights & Networking 

 is a private cocktail evening for top-tier traders and long-time supporters of Bybit. This event is equal parts networking, knowledge sharing and celebration.

 to strategic conversations with the Bybit team, this night is tailored to those who trade big and think bigger. With an invite-only guest list, it’s set to be one of the most exclusive experiences of the week.

The Crypto Hub x Bybit Crypto Ark Demo Day

 is all about bringing hands-on energy to the web3 scene. Hosted at the Crypto Ark inside Bybit’s office, this event welcomes founders, devs and crypto creatives for a casual evening of product showcases, idea exchange and light networking.

While Bybit provides the space, the real spotlight is on the community — those shaping the next wave of innovation in web3.

 from across the CIS region are gathering for a deep dive into the tools, tips and strategies that drive growth at Bybit. This meetup goes beyond surface-level sharing — expect actionable workshops covering our Bybit Affiliate program and affiliate best practices.

It’s also a chance to hear directly from Bybit product leads and regional managers, share success stories and walk away with fresh ideas to maximize conversions. 

Wunderbit x Bybit: “Hey, Trading Bot, where is my profit?”

 are here to stay — and this event is going deep into what makes them tick. Co-hosted by Wunderbit and Bybit, the evening workshop blends honest stories from real traders with expert insights on how to avoid common automation pitfalls.

From bot setups that work to the ones that quietly drain your profits, this is your chance to ask the tough questions, hear unfiltered answers — and maybe rethink how you’re running your own bot strategy.

 (RWAs) are taking center stage at the RWA Gulf Summit, a high-powered event co-hosted by Qatar National Bank, Commercial Bank International and DMZ Finance. This summit brings together bank leaders, wealth funds, participants in DIFC, institutional investors and industry pioneers to explore the evolution of tokenized finance in the Middle East and beyond.

Bybit’s Head of Financial Products Jerry Li will take the stage to discuss how 

 (CEXs) can harness RWAs for enhanced yield and 

Dubai's Pinnacle Mixer: Mantle, Mirana, Bybit and Ethena

High above the city, this mixer brings together some of the biggest names in web3 — Mantle, Mirana, Bybit and Ethena. Expect an unforgettable evening of casual chats, cross-chain connections and cocktails with the minds behind some of today’s most innovative projects.

This private event is all about experiencing Bybit Pay in action. See interactive demos, grab a sneak peek at upcoming partnerships and network over bites and drinks. It’s a rare behind-the-scenes look at the way Bybit is shaping the future of crypto payments. 

Wrapping up the week is the Bybit Institutional Symposium — a full-day event dedicated to aligning strategies with institutional clients and forging new collaborations. From macro views to product deep-dives, this conference is built to spark big conversations among serious players.

The day concludes with a gala dinner, a fitting finale to a week in which ideas, connections and innovation have taken center stage.

Intermediate

Bybit Learn Highlights What to Expect at Bybit

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Highlights: What to expect at Bybit (Apr 28–May 2, 2025)

Balance (EPT) is revolutionizing web3 gaming with evolving AI companions, blending blockchain, strategy, and intelligent gameplay in one powerful platform.

Artificial intelligence (AI) agents are a key growth area within the blockchain industry. Projects like Artificial Superintelligence Alliance (FET), 

 (AI16Z) and countless others have been essential components driving the overall crypto market. As of April 2025, the CoinGecko portal lists more than 500 cryptocurrencies within its category of AI Agents. These intelligent assistants are now helping individuals and businesses analyze markets, create textual and visual content, automate work processes and trade profitably.

There's a further area where AI agents on the blockchain are flourishing: the world of 

 gaming. In this sphere, bots and agents based on AI algorithms are helping users develop the best in-game strategies, succeed in the competitive world of play-to-earn (P2E) and overcome key challenges in complex gameplay.

Balance (EPT) is a blockchain gaming project that takes the use of 

 to a completely new level. The creation of the team at the world’s largest social gaming platform, E-Pal, Balance offers players AI agents that can aid them in the in-game environment and serve as their personal companions. Based on a multi-layer architecture, the platform offers some of the most cutting-edge use cases for gaming-oriented AI agents.

 (EPT) is a web3 gaming platform that allows players to easily create, own and use AI companions within the blockchain games it supports.

 Balance supports a variety of first-party (internally developed) and third-party web3 games. You can deploy your AI gaming companions and they’ll act as your assistants, friends or co-players within Balance games.

Using Balance.fun, the platform’s primary web interface, you can create your AI agents and specify various details, such as appearance, personality and functions.

Balance isn’t just another obscure crypto gaming platform. The origins of the project date back to 2020, when the E-Pal social gaming provider was launched by four young California-based technology entrepreneurs — Brian Xiong, Tung Pham, Yuzhe Norris Wang and Yuanzhe Li. E-Pal quickly became a leading force in the newly emerging social gaming field, helping players worldwide find gaming companions. By early 2024, E-Pal had become the world’s largest gaming companion platform, boasting 4.2 million users and 450,000 Epals (gaming companions).

In February 2024, the E-Pal team focused its efforts on 

 and AI technologies, starting the development work on the Balance gaming platform. In September of the same year, Balance went live.

Per the project’s documentation, the platform operates on its own chain, Balance Chain, with 

 (AA) technology used for cross-chain communication. The fungible and 

 (NFTs) held by user accounts are based on the 

A key part of the Balance ecosystem is Key Nodes — purchasable 

 that help with the processing, storage and distribution of data required in the resource-intensive environment of web3 gaming. Some applied instances are the management of real-time leaderboards and the automatic distribution of loot and in-game currency. These nodes can also support the computational requirements of training AI models. As a reward for their work in supporting the platform’s operations, Key Nodes receive a wide range of rewards and benefits, including distributions of EPT tokens, the platform’s native cryptocurrency.

As the ecosystem develops, Key Nodes are envisioned to be involved in governance, 

 launch in September 2024, Balance introduced its Points System, designed to reward early contributors to the platform. During the campaign run in September, users could earn points by completing various specified tasks in various activities, such as joining the project’s social media pages or commenting and reposting.

The 400 users with the best performance in the Points System earned a whitelist spot to receive Pioneer Badge NFTs — distinct tokens that provide owners with early access to games, future campaigns, airdrops and beta testing opportunities. Pioneer Badge NFT holders can also enjoy other benefits, such as premium NFTs and voting rights on the Balance platform.

Balance’s platform provides a set of tools to create and use intelligent companions for Balance-based games. You can design your AI companions by specifying their key traits and behaviors through custom prompts and strategies. The AI agents on Balance can assist you in battles, gaming contests, learning, routine task execution and interactive entertainment.

Balance’s platform is made up of five key layers, each one serving a specific purpose in supporting its user and developer communities. At the top of the architectural stack is the application layer, which acts as the main interface for users to interact with human and AI companions and the wider Balance community.

The application layer also contains the AI Battle Reporting System, which is designed to give users feedback and analysis tools on their performance in the platform’s gaming ecosystem. AI technology is leveraged here to provide personalized analytics and performance improvement recommendations.

A range of NFTs are also part of the layer. These include in-game asset NFTs, as well as 

 (SBTs) that serve as summaries of the holder’s achievements.

The platform layer hosts the various games within the Balance gaming universe. These include both internal games and third-party games that have partnered with Balance. The key concept uniting all of the games is the active integration of AI companions and AI players, making the platform a unique environment in which humans and AI agents play, interact and compete.

The platform layer also features an AI-driven NFT launchpad that offers a rich tool set for creating personalized NFTs for games and applications. These NFTs can be traded on Balance's NFT marketplace, which is also an integral part of the platform layer.

The protocol layer includes a trio of critical protocols — the Fans Protocol, Epal Fan Token (FT) Exchange Protocol and Asset Protocol. The Fans Protocol lets players launch and manage their Fan Tokens, creating opportunities for influencers and community builders to tokenize their efforts and launch high-potential crypto assets. Meanwhile, the Epal FT Exchange Protocol facilitates the management of (and trade in) Fan Tokens.

The third protocol, Asset, is used for the comprehensive management of a wide range of digital assets on Balance, providing easy-to-use tools for asset creation and trading.

The token layer is designed for core operations involving the platform’s native EPT token. This layer supports the use of EPT for in-game purchases, access to services and AI companions, Fan Token minting and trading, in addition to other functionalities.

This is the underlying infrastructural layer that powers the platform’s operational mechanism. It can be described as Balance's operating system, and is made up of several critical components: the node system, the Balance 

, the Balance Chain network and the platform's unique ID system.

The node system provides the computational and storage resources to power games and other functionality on Balance. In addition, the system acts as a key connecting medium between Balance Chain and the AA functionality that lets the platform enjoy cross-chain capabilities.

The Balance stablecoin, also part of the infra layer, is designed to reduce volatility and bring rate stability to the platform's gaming ecosystem. The Balance stablecoin system helps players engage in asset trading without the fear of wild market fluctuations, an important consideration in the 

Designed to support multiple chains, Balance Chain operates based on dynamic protocol adaptation, automatically selecting the optimal blockchain platform according to user preferences and needs. This dynamic adaptability is designed to reduce costs, improve operational speed and enhance overall security for users.

The final major component of the Balance infrastructure layer, the Balance ID system, is a unified and secure user authentication and identity management solution. To be introduced later in 2025, the ID system will let users access all services and games within the Balance ecosystem via a single set of cross-platform decentralized credentials. In addition to human players, also AI companions will have their unique IDs.

EPT is the native cryptocurrency of Balance. Although the platform has been operational since 2024, the EPT token was just launched on Apr 21, 2025, with a total and maximum supply of 10 billion. It was issued on two major blockchains — Ethereum and BNB Chain. EPT has a wide range of functional use cases on the platform, including the following:

The EPT token's supply allocation is per the chart below.

 as a swap pair with USDT, and through the exchange's 

 based on USDT. You can also take advantage of Bybit’s campaign dedicated to the token to grab a share of the 

Under the terms of the event, new users can earn EPT rewards by accumulating a deposit volume of at least 3,000 EPT, or by depositing at least 100 USDT and trading 100 USDT worth of EPT via their first spot trade with Bybit. Meanwhile, existing users can qualify for rewards by trading at least 500 USDT worth of EPT on Spot. The event is valid through May 5, 2025, 9AM UTC.

As of Apr 25, 2025, the EPT token has been on the market for only four days, and is trading at $0.0117, which is 26.4% lower than its ATH of $0.01708 on Apr 21, 2025, and 11.4% higher than its ATL of $0.01129 on Apr 22, 2025.

Long-term price forecasts for EPT are mostly bullish. DigitalCoinPrice 

 of $0.0412 in 2027 and $0.0615 in 2030, whilePricePrediction 

These and other emerging long-term forecasts for the token don't constitute investment advice. Given EPT's extremely short history on the market so far, 

 on the token's future prospects, carefully assess market fluctuations within the crypto gaming niche and consider all other relevant factors before investing in it or any other cryptocurrency.

Capturing emerging market trends and sensing the broader market conditions, the team at E-Pal recognized the tremendous potential of gaming companions back in 2020. Four years later, E-Pal realized that the new market dynamics in gaming called for something even more innovative — the use of AI companions, in addition to fellow humans. The resulting product, the Balance platform, is now racing to stake the claim to the best web3 gaming environment supported by AI agents.

The platform's unique features — cross-chain functionality supported by an AA mechanism, a dynamic exchange system that selects the best network for users' transactions and, most importantly, intelligent AI companions — can certainly help establish Balance as a leader in this niche of web3 gaming.

AI agents are taking the gaming industry by storm, with blockchain technology acting as a powerful enabler of these intelligent friends of ours. The Balance gaming universe — supported by the proven track record of E-Pal — has a great chance of becoming the go-to environment in which to befriend your next artificial gaming partner.

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Balance (EPT): Revolutionizing web3 gaming with evolving AI companions

Mantle has launched the Mantle Index Four (MI4), an institutional-grade fund providing diversified exposure to yield-bearing digital assets. 

The S&P 500 rose 2.03% on strong Alphabet earnings and optimism over a possible Fed rate cut. Gold jumped 1.5% to $3,338 as trade tensions rose and a weaker dollar, along with falling yields, boosted demand. Fed rate cut signals also supported the rally. The Coindesk Indices, which tracks the broader crypto market, rose 0.74%, with Bitcoin up 0.06% and Ether down 1.89%, in the past 24 hours. Trade these markets and more with up to 500x leverage on Bybit MT5 using this 

Today's top performer is INIT, up 15.4%, following the launch of Initia, which aims to revive the appchain concept with an interconnected network and an INIT token airdrop.

Initia (INIT), founded in 2022, is a modular blockchain platform that combines a Layer 1 network with customizable Layer 2 rollups, enabling scalable decentralized app development. It offers flexibility in virtual machines, gas tokens, and transaction systems, while ensuring interoperability and addressing issues like liquidity fragmentation and network congestion. Initia has 

 to revive the appchain concept by offering a network that integrates appchains in a cohesive, interconnected way. The platform emphasizes full-stack control for apps, avoiding fragmentation. Initia is also launching an airdrop with claims available until May 24, 2025. The native token, INIT, has a fixed supply of 1 billion, distributed across eight categories.

Check out the latest prices, charts, and data of 

, an institutional-grade fund providing diversified exposure to yield-bearing digital assets. In partnership with Securitize, which has tokenized over $3B in assets, the fund aims to fill a market gap by offering native yield generation in a traditional fund format. Mantle Treasury has committed up to $400M as the anchor investment. The fund will rebalance quarterly and incorporate DeFi-native staking strategies, such as mETH and bbSOL, while ensuring investor protections. MI4 targets both crypto-native and traditional investors, with Phase 1 rollout scheduled for Q2 2025.

Yesterday, BTC spot ETFs saw a total inflow of $114.7 million, all from non-GBTC funds, while GBTC recorded no flow.

Dolomite, the 10th largest DeFi lending app, is launching a 200M token 

 (20% of total supply) during its TGE on April 24, rewarding users based on platform usage. The DOLO token powers a three-token system alongside oDOLO and veDOLO, enabling incentives, governance, and potential revenue sharing. With over $800M in TVL, Dolomite expands to Berachain, integrating with its Proof of Liquidity system to offer advanced lending features and asset utility.

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Mantle launches MI4 fund for institutional-grade digital asset exposure and yield generation

Bitcoin

Investing

When choosing the best Bitcoin IRA, there are two main factors to consider: your knowledge of crypto, and the features you value most in a retirement product. 

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Ensuring financial security in retirement is an aspiration for just about any individual. At the same time, achieving security in your silver years takes careful investment planning and choices. Over the last few years, cryptocurrency and 

 (BTC) have begun playing a key role in retirement planning schemes. A number of Bitcoin-based individual retirement accounts (IRAs) have arrived on the market, broadening options for retirement-focused investors.

The first crypto IRAs appeared in 2016, offering cryptocurrency as a legitimate asset for investment. While the leading 

 on the market feature a wide variety of crypto coins on offer, Bitcoin remains by far the most popular option. First, compared to 

, Bitcoin benefits from its leadership position and higher levels of trust enjoyed in the market. Its popularity surged notably after the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) granted 

 in early January 2024. Secondly, it offers liquidity levels unmatched by other leading cryptos. Finally, Bitcoin’s volatility is known to be at least somewhat lower compared to Ethereum (ETH) and other large-cap crypto coins.

Given all these factors, it’s no wonder that Bitcoin remains vastly more popular for IRA products than any other cryptocurrency and that, in nearly all cases, crypto IRA providers have a Bitcoin IRA on offer.

In this review, we’re taking a closer look at the best Bitcoin IRA products in 2024 — leaders in their own categories that can aid you in your retirement planning goals.

IRA investment opportunities based on Bitcoin are now a fast-growing area within the financial planning industry. By 2024, few serious retirement investors would dismiss Bitcoin, at least as a potential option, for their IRAs. High growth potential, diversification benefits and, under some circumstances, capital gains tax exemptions — all of these advantages come with including Bitcoin in your IRA.

So, which Bitcoin IRAs on the market suit your retirement investment goals? The answer depends upon what you specifically value in an investment product, and your level of expertise with crypto, among other factors.

It should also be noted that most of the leading Bitcoin IRA companies offer both standard and Roth IRAs. These two types of IRA products differ somewhat in the way your contributions and withdrawals are treated in terms of taxation. Standard IRAs allow you to make tax-deductible contributions, while your retirement withdrawals are taxable. In contrast, Roth IRA contributions aren’t tax-deductible as they are created with after-tax dollars, but retirement withdrawals are tax-free.

With these considerations in mind, we’ve decided to look at a number of critical areas for investors when evaluating the best Bitcoin IRA products — security, fees, investor experience, self-directed investment opportunities and beginner-friendly features.

When it comes to the best overall Bitcoin IRA product, few providers on the market can match the aptly named 

™ — America’s first cryptocurrency-focused retirement investment company. Its crypto IRA platform was launched in 2016, and over the years has built upon its first-mover advantage in the market. It’s by far the most popular Bitcoin IRA product chosen by retirement investors.

While the other providers we cover below have particular strengths in specific areas, Bitcoin IRA shines thanks to its optimal balance of security, fees, time in the market, insurance options, ease of use and trading flexibility.

Bitcoin IRA offers a flexible trading platform that’s open 24/7. It also features generous insurance coverage of up to $700 million — the highest limit among the leading Bitcoin IRA products. In addition, the minimum investment requirement of $3,000 at Bitcoin IRA is also relatively modest. For an established provider of this scale, that’s a highly reasonable requirement.

Bitcoin IRA’s security features are also top-notch. The company has partnered with BitGo, the world’s leading Bitcoin transaction processor, to hold client funds in secure 

 using military-grade, multi-key protection features.

Bitcoin IRA’s transaction fees aren’t the lowest in the market, although they’re still reasonable for the most trusted crypto IRA provider on the block. The standard fee applicable per transaction is 2%, and there’s a one-time initial deposit fee of between 0.99% and 4.99%, depending upon the amount invested.

Bitcoin IRAs are an emerging area, so for many investors these products are still a novelty. That's why a product in this niche must be as beginner-friendly as possible. Among Bitcoin IRA providers, 

 has caught our eye with its simplified platform and fee structure — precisely what a newbie to the Bitcoin IRA field needs

iTrust offers a simple flat fee of 1% on all transactions. No other charges are involved — no deposit fees, no monthly account-keeping fees or any other fee varieties other providers like to pepper their products with. You just pay 1% on any transaction without having to worry about incurring any hidden charges. For beginners, this is an ideal setup.

The only other fee that Bitcoin IRA investors might incur at iTrust is the $75 charge to convert a standard IRA to a Roth IRA.

iTrust’s minimum investment requirement is also very low — only $1,000. For many beginning investors, the ability to start out with as little capital commitment as possible is critical. In that respect, iTrust’s modest requirement of just $1,000 is a great beginner-friendly feature.

The security of your investment funds is a crucial consideration when choosing a Bitcoin IRA. Low fees and flexibility of trading won’t be of much help if your Bitcoin holdings are compromised due to a 

. To be fair to the companies in our review, they all employ multiple measures to protect client funds.

However, among the leading Bitcoin IRA providers, one stands out with a particular focus on security — 

 is among the older providers in the Bitcoin IRA field. Established in 2017, this company has taken client funds’ security to a completely new level.

BitIRA uses multiple measures to ensure that even the most persistent and well-resourced Bitcoin hackers won’t be able to get anywhere close to your digital retirement funds. First, BitIRA has partnered with Ledger Enterprise, one of the world’s leading digital asset storage specialists, to implement multi-signature authorization for crypto asset storage and access. The keys for access to clients’ Bitcoin are held on multiple devices in a decentralized way to ensure that an individual point of failure doesn’t jeopardize the overall security of your funds.

Secondly, BitIRA implements so-called “end-to-end” protection for client funds. With end-to-end insurance, your investment is protected at all stages and in all states of the funds’ lifecycle, be it purchase, storage or any point of transfer.

Finally, BitIRA fund storage practices are regularly audited by third parties to ensure adherence to SOC 2 Type 2 certification standards. Companies serious about security and protection choose to implement SOC 2 Type 2 certification, a set of rigorous practices and internal controls to ensure the security, integrity and confidentiality of data or assets.

With a fee of just 0.5% per trade, California-based 

 offers the lowest fees among Bitcoin IRA providers — and this crypto IRA company doesn’t charge account-keeping or deposit fees, either. If you’re after the lowest possible transaction fees, look no further than BlockMint.

As an alternative to the 0.5% fee, the company also offers an entirely commission-free account for a yearly fixed charge of $499. Thus, if you prefer to make frequent trades, you might choose this option to further minimize costs.

BlockMint's Bitcoin IRA also features generous $600 million insurance protection, along with military-grade cold storage of your funds. When you open an account, you’re assigned a personal agent to assist with your inquiries — always a great feature for Bitcoin IRA products, given their relatively novel nature.

Best Investor Experience — Equity Trust

 is one of the oldest providers of IRA, Roth IRA and other investment products to individuals and businesses. Over the last few years, this established retirement investment company has developed comprehensive crypto and Bitcoin IRA products, leveraging its multi-decade experience.

Whether you’re after a Bitcoin-based IRA or Roth IRA, Equity Trust has unmatched variety, thanks to its integrated platform with multiple crypto IRA providers. By buying a Bitcoin IRA with Equity Trust, you’ll get to enjoy both the robust security of the Equity Trust platform and the expertise and service of its providers.

Thanks to the company’s deep expertise in the retirement investment field and a wide variety of accounts and assets on offer, you’re given an unprecedented choice of various investment options. In addition to Bitcoin and crypto, Equity Trust offers investments in mutual funds and stocks, as well as alternative investments in the areas of precious metals, real estate, private equity and more. This provider truly stands out in terms of the investor experience, from choice of investment options to the guidance you receive throughout the whole onboarding process.

Equity Trust isn’t among the cheapest Bitcoin IRA companies. You’ll have to pay a certain premium for the privilege of having an excellent investor experience. Annual fees on your Bitcoin IRA or Roth IRA product will depend upon the overall size of the portfolio you maintain with the company. The lowest yearly fee is $225, for accounts under $15,000. This cost goes up on a sliding scale, with the highest fee set at $2,250 for accounts above $2 million. There’s also a one-time account opening fee of $50.

Best for Self-Directed Investment — Broad Financial

Traditional IRA and Roth IRA accounts have typically been restricted to investments in tightly regulated assets — usually stocks, bonds, mutual funds and 

. Self-directed IRAs (SDIRAs) allow investors to access alternative investment assets, including cryptocurrencies. In that respect, all Bitcoin IRA and Roth IRA products are classified as self-directed accounts. However, the degree of freedom you get in terms of structuring your investments in an SDIRA account varies with different providers. 

 in terms of both the freedom and flexibility of your self-directed investments under a Bitcoin IRA or Roth IRA. Broad Financial's Bitcoin IRA Trust gives you complete freedom in terms of allocating and mixing different asset classes. In addition to Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, you can include a wide range of other assets, including real estate, private equity, private lending options like mortgages, and even precious metals.

Unlike most other providers, Broad Financial gives you the ability to conduct transactions using a checkbook linked to your IRA or Roth IRA account. If the freedom to make your own choices under a Bitcoin IRA is important to your investment planning, Broad Financial is the optimal provider out of the main options available on the market.

The company doesn't charge transaction fees for its IRA or Roth IRA accounts. However, a $1,195 initial account setup fee and a $420 annual maintenance fee are involved.

The ultimate choice for your preferred Bitcoin IRA or Roth IRA will depend upon what features and characteristics you value most in a retirement product. If you’re a beginner making initial steps in the world of Bitcoin and retirement investment, we suggest iTrustCapital’s user-friendly platform that features a simple, straightforward fee structure, no hidden charges, and a modest initial investment of just $1,000.

If safeguarding your investment is your top priority, BitIRA’s comprehensive protection mechanism is for you. On the other hand, for those interested in the lowest fees possible, it’s hard to ignore BlockMint’s 0.5% transaction fee with no other charges involved.

If an optimal investor experience and diverse choices are your priorities, the Equity Trust platform is worth considering, while for investors who prioritize freedom in directing their investments and appreciate the convenience of a checkbook option, Broad Financial is the top pick.

Finally, Bitcoin IRA is a great choice for those without a specific preference who seek a well-rounded product with balanced features across all categories.

Bitcoin IRAs: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Bitcoin IRAs are a form of self-directed IRA retirement account that allows you to invest in either Bitcoin or a mix of Bitcoin and other assets. Depending upon the rules applicable to the account, you might be able to hold only Bitcoin, or a combination of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies under your IRA. Moreover, some providers allow you to mix different classes of alternative investments under the same IRA or Roth IRA. Using these products, you can combine Bitcoin investments with other asset types like real estate, private equity, precious metals and more.

IRA accounts, including Bitcoin IRAs, allow you to make tax-deductible contributions to the limit of $7,000 per year if you’re under 50 years old, or $8,000 if you’re 50 or older. When you reach the age of 59½, you can withdraw from your IRA account without any restrictions. Any withdrawals you make are taxable.

Roth IRAs work differently from standard IRAs. Contributions to Roth IRA accounts, including Bitcoin Roth IRAs, aren't tax-deductible, but withdrawals from these accounts in retirement are tax-free.

Bitcoin IRAs offer several advantages over IRAs made up of traditional asset classes like stocks, bonds or mutual funds. You might consider opening a Bitcoin IRA, based on the following factors.

1. A Bitcoin IRA might generate a higher rate of return than a traditional IRA. While Bitcoin is known for its volatility, it's also an asset with considerably 

 than the stock market or other traditional investment options. The chart below shows the growth rates for Bitcoin and the Vanguard 500 Index Fund ETF (VOO), a leading fund product that closely tracks the stock market's primary index, the S&P 500. Growth rates shown are for the last five years. The results clearly indicate that in four out of the five years, Bitcoin has beaten the stock market in terms of returns, typically by a wide margin.

2. A Bitcoin IRA can be an excellent way to diversify your retirement portfolio. Many individuals have an overreliance on stocks, mutual funds and ETFs in their portfolios. Diversifying such portfolios with Bitcoin can be a great way to protect against stock market shocks, as Bitcoin is typically uncorrelated or weakly correlated with traditional financial asset classes. That being said, with the recent SEC approval of Bitcoin Spot ETFs in early January 2023, 

 can be another great alternative to invest in.

3. Using a Bitcoin Roth IRA can help you avoid capital gains taxes. If you sell Bitcoin and realize a gain, you’re normally liable to pay the capital gains tax. However, since any investment in a Roth IRA is made with after-tax dollars, your capital gain, in this case, is free from taxes.

Yes. Bitcoin IRAs are a totally legitimate product for retirement investment. While most IRA and Roth IRA providers on the market focus on traditional asset classes, some companies, including those we’ve included in our review above, offer Bitcoin-based IRA and Roth IRA accounts.

Any Bitcoin or crypto IRA or Roth IRA on the market falls under the definition of a self-directed account. Only some providers specialize in self-directed IRA products. The choice among these providers is much more limited as compared to that for traditional IRA companies. When evaluating a Bitcoin IRA provider, make sure that they’re authorized to offer self-directed investment options.

It’s safe to invest in a Bitcoin IRA If you choose a reputable provider with a solid track record on the market. Additionally, it's crucial to thoroughly research the practices and standards the provider uses to store your Bitcoin funds. Make sure that the company you choose employs high-grade cryptographic protection methods and utilizes safe cold storage options. Insurance limits and terms are also among the critical bits of information to become acquainted with.

What Is the Minimum Deposit for a Bitcoin IRA?

Minimum deposit amounts vary among different Bitcoin IRA providers. Typically, initial amounts at reputable providers range from about $1,000 to several thousand dollars. While some smaller providers may offer very low minimum deposits, perhaps as low as $10 to $50, some of these companies might have additional fees to offset the meager initial deposit amounts. Therefore, it's imperative that you study the complete fee schedule when selecting a Bitcoin IRA product. Low deposit requirements should be only one element in the overall selection process.

The fundamental taxation principles applicable to Bitcoin IRAs and Roth IRAs are similar to their traditional counterparts. Bitcoin IRAs can be funded with tax-deductible dollars, but your withdrawals will be taxed. In contrast, Bitcoin Roth IRAs are funded with after-tax dollars, making its withdrawals tax-free.

Bitcoin Roth IRAs can be a great investment vehicle to avoid the capital gains tax applicable to the sale of cryptocurrency. The United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has traditionally applied the 

 to any Bitcoin sale from which a gain is realized. However, any such sale under a Roth IRA account would be free from capital gains taxation, because Roth IRAs are funded with after-tax dollars. This specific benefit doesn’t apply to standard Bitcoin IRAs, as these accounts’ contributions are based on pre-tax funds.

Best Bitcoin IRA Companies to Consider in 2024

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