Many cryptocurrency investors are starting to realize that there are two different type of exchanges: centralized and decentralized.  Coinbase, Bitstamp, Kraken, etc. are considered centralized crypto exchanges because, essentially, all information and trading data goes through a single point. Centralized crypto exchanges are believed to offer an efficient trading environment at the cost of user’s privacy and personal information.

The cryptocurrency data gets transferred through a network including passwords and get stored on a centralized server.  Also, these exchanges can be vulnerable to attacks and have a lower degree of privacy.  However, the reason that centralized exchanges, such as Coinbase, have become the most popular way to buy cryptos for the mass pubic is because they are regulated and have made account opening and crypto trading easy.

Decentralized Crypto Exchange

In contrast, a decentralized crypto exchange is a type of exchange that isn’t operated by a central party or have a single point. In other words, unlike a centralized crypto exchange, a decentralized exchange, such as Uniswap, would not need all the information to go through a single point. In essence, a decentralized crypto exchange is kind of like a peer-to-peer network where there are many points of contact.

The most popular decentralized crypto exchanges are: Uniswap, Pancakeswap, Bisq, IDEX, and Sushiswap. For example, Uniswap is a “decentralized exchange protocol that operates on the Ethereum blockchain. The platform enables peer-to-peer (P2P) cryptocurrency trades that execute without order books or a centralized intermediary.  Currently, the transaction fee paid out to liquidity providers is 0.3% per trade.”

Trade Cryptocurrency Tax-Free

We are very proud to have the industry’s best solution for buying Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies on an exchange in the name of an IRA or 401(k). In the Notice 2014-21, the IRS confirmed that cryptos, such as Bitcoin would be treated from a tax perspective as a capital asset, such as property, like a stock or real estate.  The sale of a cryptocurrency is not subject to tax and all gains are tax-deferred or tax-free in the case of a Roth IRA or Roth 401(k).

IRA Financial is the first Self-Directed IRA company to allow their clients to invest in cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, directly via a cryptocurrency exchange without the need for a third-party broker or the use of an LLC.  Now, with the IRA Financial, investors can use their retirement funds to buy all the major cryptocurrencies directly through one of the leading US cryptocurrencies exchanges.

IRA Financial’s new cryptocurrency solution is the first to allow retirement holders to hold cryptocurrencies in an IRA directly on an exchange.   The account is opened in the name of the IRA but controlled by you as the authorized representative on the account. 

Can I Hold Cryptos in a Cold Wallet Personally?

As per the Internal Revenue Code Section 408(m), only IRS approved precious metals must be held in the “physical possession” of a US bank or depository.  The Internal Revenue Code nor any IRS publication imposes a “physical possession” requirement on the holding of cryptos in a cold wallet in the IRA owner’s personal possession.