Unchained offers a Bitcoin-only IRA with a 2-of-3 multisig custody model where the account holder controls two of the three keys. This is structurally different from every other crypto IRA on the market: you genuinely hold keys to your retirement Bitcoin, not just a claim on assets held entirely by a third party. The trade-off is a $250 annual fee, Bitcoin-only, and more involved onboarding.
Quick Facts
Asset Support
Bitcoin only
Annual Fee
$250/year
Trading Fee
0.50% per trade
Trade Minimum
$2,000 per transaction
Concierge Onboarding
$250 (optional)
Custody Model
2-of-3 multisig
Keys You Hold
2 of 3 (stored separately)
IRA Custodian
Fortis Bank
IRA Types
Traditional, Roth, SEP, Inherited
How the Multisig Custody Works
This is the only IRA structure where you hold actual keys to your Bitcoin.
Every Bitcoin transaction requires 2 of 3 keys to sign. In the Unchained IRA structure, you hold two keys stored in two separate physical locations that you control. Unchained holds one backup key. Moving your Bitcoin without your participation is not possible, even for Unchained.
In contrast, every other crypto IRA on the market holds all keys on your behalf. You have a claim on assets held by the custodian, not direct key control. With Unchained, you have the same cryptographic access to your retirement Bitcoin that you would have with a personal multisig vault.
The IRA custodian (Fortis Bank) handles the IRS-required qualified custodian role, including regulatory reporting and account administration. The key arrangement sits on top of that structure.
Key Management Responsibility
Holding two keys means you are responsible for securing and backing them up correctly. If you lose both of your keys, the backup key with Unchained alone cannot move your Bitcoin. There is a key recovery process, but it involves Unchained and additional verification steps. Self-custody responsibility is real here.
Strengths and Considerations
Strengths
- You hold two of three keys - the highest self-custody model available in an IRA
- 2-of-3 multisig structure: two keys with the client, one backup key with Unchained
- Transparent fee structure: $250/year flat, 0.50% per trade, no hidden costs
- Traditional, Roth, SEP, and Inherited IRA account types supported
- Fortis Bank as IRA custodian - a licensed financial institution
- Bitcoin-only focus means all security and custody architecture is purpose-built for Bitcoin
- No minimum annual funding requirement after account opening
Considerations
- !Bitcoin only - no Ethereum, altcoins, or physical gold
- !$250 annual fee is higher than zero-fee competitors
- !$2,000 minimum per transfer, rollover, or contribution
- !More complex onboarding than plug-and-play platforms (key setup required)
- !Optional concierge onboarding costs an additional $250
- !Self-custody adds responsibility - you must manage and protect your keys
Fee Structure
Fee structure varies. Confirm current fees at unchained.com before opening an account. The figures below reflect prior verification and may have changed.
Unchained charges a $250 annual account fee and a 0.50% fee per Bitcoin trade. There is no setup fee, no custody fee beyond the annual flat charge, and no minimum annual funding requirement after the account is open.
The 0.50% trading fee is lower than the 1% charged by iTrustCapital. On a $20,000 Bitcoin purchase, that is a $100 fee versus $200. For buy-and-hold investors making infrequent trades, the $250 annual fee becomes the primary cost to model over a long retirement horizon.
Optional concierge onboarding costs an additional $250. This covers personalized guidance through the multisig vault setup process. Given the complexity of key management, this is worth considering for investors new to multisig.
Each USD transfer, rollover, or annual contribution has a $2,000 minimum. This is not a minimum account balance requirement but a per-transaction minimum.
Supported IRA Account Types
Traditional IRA
Pre-tax contributions with tax-deferred growth. Withdrawals in retirement are taxed as ordinary income.
Roth IRA
After-tax contributions. Qualified withdrawals in retirement are entirely tax-free, including all gains.
SEP IRA
Higher contribution limits for self-employed individuals and small business owners.
Inherited IRA
For beneficiaries who inherit an IRA from a deceased account holder. Unchained is one of the few crypto IRA platforms that supports this account type.
2026 IRS Contribution Limits
- Standard annual limit: $7,500
- Age 50+ catch-up: additional $1,100, total $8,600
- These limits apply across all your IRA accounts combined. Verify current limits and SEP IRA limits (which differ) at irs.gov.
Who Unchained Suits Best
Unchained is the right choice for Bitcoin-focused investors who are uncomfortable with the idea of a custodian holding all keys to their retirement assets. If you already use multisig for personal Bitcoin storage, the Unchained IRA structure will feel familiar. If you believe holding your own keys is the point of Bitcoin, this is the only IRA structure that maintains that property.
The Bitcoin-only constraint is both a limitation and a focus. Investors who want Ethereum, altcoin exposure, or physical gold in their IRA will need a different platform. Unchained is built around one asset and does not try to be everything.
The $250 annual fee makes it less attractive for very small accounts. On a $5,000 account, that fee represents 5% annually before any trading costs. The fee makes more sense for larger accounts where the custody model and key control are worth the flat cost.
For investors who want maximum custody security for their retirement Bitcoin, Unchained has no direct competitor. No other IRA platform gives account holders two of three multisig keys.
Research Unchained Directly
Fees, custody arrangements, and supported account types change. Verify all current details at unchained.com before opening an account.
CryptoKeySafe does not provide investment advice. Fees, minimums, and custody arrangements change. Verify all details directly with the provider before opening an account. This review is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a recommendation to open any specific account. CryptoKeySafe has no affiliate relationship with Unchained.