Equity Trust Company has expanded its cryptocurrency retirement offerings with two distinct Crypto IRA models, signaling a shift in U.S. retirement investing from basic crypto custody toward more sophisticated portfolio management. The Westlake, Ohio-based custodian now offers an Automated Crypto IRA and a self-traded Equity Crypto IRA, both with $0 account-opening fees.
The Automated Crypto IRA uses AI-driven technology developed by Animus Technologies to evaluate market conditions and automatically recommend and execute trades in Bitcoin and Ethereum based on rules-based investment models. Equity Trust clients can access the automated strategy with a minimum investment of $25,000, far below the $250,000 minimum typically required for after-tax and institutional investors. Animus CEO Maximilian Pace said the relationship gives IRA investors access to "automated, institutional-grade technology to maintain a disciplined crypto strategy inside their tax-advantaged account."
The self-traded Equity Crypto IRA is built for hands-on investors who want direct control over buy, sell, and hold decisions. Trades are executed through Equity Trust's proprietary Digital Trading Platform, integrated within the myEQUITY online account system. The platform supports eligible digital assets across large-cap cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, decentralized finance, AI and blockchain infrastructure, payments and digital commerce, and broader blockchain innovation. Equity Trust emphasized that all assets are held through institutional-grade custody, cold wallet protection, and specialty insurance coverage.
CEO George Sullivan said investors are looking for solutions that offer both innovation and confidence. The launch comes amid rising competition from spot Bitcoin ETFs and growing demand for tax-advantaged crypto exposure. By offering automated management alongside self-trading, Equity Trust is positioning itself to serve both passive and active retirement investors as crypto becomes more mainstream in long-term portfolio planning.
