If you've decided a Solo 401(k) is right for your crypto investing strategy (or you're still figuring that out — start here), the next question is: which provider?
Not all Solo 401(k) providers are created equal. Most traditional providers — the ones your accountant might recommend — don't support cryptocurrency at all. And among those that do, there are meaningful differences in how they handle crypto access, what kind of control you get, how much it costs, and how painful the setup process is.
We spent over 40 hours researching every provider that supports actual cryptocurrency (not just crypto ETFs). We compared fees, features, setup timelines, and real user experiences. Here's what we found.
What to Look for in a Crypto-Compatible Solo 401(k) Provider
Before we get into the comparison, here are the five things that actually matter when choosing a provider for crypto:
- Checkbook control. This is the big one. Checkbook control means your plan gets its own LLC with a bank account. You can open exchange accounts in the LLC's name and trade directly — no waiting for custodian approval. Without checkbook control, you're stuck going through the provider for every trade.
- Crypto exchange compatibility. Can you use the exchange you already know? Most checkbook-control plans let you open accounts at Coinbase, Kraken, Gemini, or wherever you prefer.
- Setup fees and timeline. Setup costs range from $0 to $600+. Timeline ranges from a few days to 6+ weeks. Neither is trivial if you're trying to get funded before year-end.
- Annual fees. Ongoing costs range from $300–$500/year. These are flat fees — not AUM-based — which is a major advantage over crypto IRAs that charge 1–2% of your balance annually.
- Support quality. When you have a question about prohibited transactions or contribution limits, can you actually reach someone who knows what they're talking about?
Provider Comparison Table
Here's the side-by-side breakdown of the five major providers we evaluated:
| Provider | Setup Fee | Annual Fee | Checkbook Control | Crypto Access | Setup Time | Roth Option |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rocket Dollar Best Overall | $360 (Gold) $600 (Gold+) |
$360/yr (Silver) $480/yr (Gold) |
Yes ✓ | Any exchange via LLC | 2–3 weeks | Yes ✓ |
| Nabers Group Best Value | $499 | $348/yr | Yes ✓ | Any exchange via LLC | 3–6 weeks | Yes ✓ |
| Carry | $0 | $299/yr (Core) $499/yr (Pro) |
Limited | In-platform crypto | 1–2 weeks | Yes ✓ |
| IRA Financial | $999 | $360/yr | Yes ✓ | Any exchange via LLC | 3–5 weeks | Yes ✓ |
| MySolo401k | $525 | $375/yr | Yes ✓ | Any exchange via LLC | 2–4 weeks | Yes ✓ |
Pricing verified as of March 2026. Check provider websites for current rates — fees can change.
Rocket Dollar — Best for Tech-Native Crypto Investors
Rocket Dollar
Rocket Dollar is the provider most crypto investors end up choosing, and for good reason. They were built from the ground up as a fintech company — not a traditional retirement plan administrator that bolted on crypto as an afterthought.
Their platform gives you full checkbook control through an LLC structure, which means you can open accounts at any crypto exchange (Coinbase, Kraken, Gemini, etc.) in your plan's name and trade directly. No custodian approval needed.
Pros
- Clean, modern dashboard
- Full checkbook control via LLC
- Use any crypto exchange
- Relatively fast setup (2–3 weeks)
- Strong educational content
- Responsive customer support
- Well-known brand in the space
Cons
- Higher setup fee than some competitors
- Annual fee is mid-range ($360–$480)
- Gold tier ($480/yr) needed for best features
- No in-platform trading (you use external exchanges)
Best for: Crypto investors who want a modern, reliable platform with full control over their investments. If you're comfortable using crypto exchanges and want the most polished experience, Rocket Dollar is the safe choice.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Nabers Group (Solo401k.com) — Best for Value and Education
Nabers Group / Solo401k.com
Nabers Group has been doing this longer than almost anyone. Their site, Solo401k.com, is one of the most comprehensive educational resources on self-directed Solo 401(k) plans. They're not a flashy fintech startup — they're a specialized retirement plan administrator that's been supporting crypto investors since before it was trendy.
Like Rocket Dollar, they offer full checkbook control via an LLC. The key difference is pricing: their annual fee ($348/year) is the lowest among full-featured providers, and their educational resources are genuinely useful — not just marketing fluff.
Pros
- Lowest annual fee ($348/yr) among full providers
- Deep educational content and resources
- Full checkbook control via LLC
- Longest track record in the space
- Strong compliance support
- Experienced with complex situations
Cons
- Website feels dated compared to Rocket Dollar
- Longer setup timeline (3–6 weeks)
- Less modern dashboard experience
- Phone-heavy support (some prefer chat/email)
Best for: Investors who prioritize low ongoing costs and want access to deep educational resources. If you value substance over sleek UX and want a provider with a long, proven track record, Nabers is an excellent choice.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Carry — Best Modern UX (With Caveats)
Carry
Carry is the new kid on the block, and it shows — in a good way and a cautious way. Their app and dashboard are beautiful. Setup is fast (as quick as a few days). And their $0 setup fee is genuinely attractive.
The caveat? Carry's crypto access works differently from Rocket Dollar and Nabers. Instead of giving you an LLC with checkbook control to use any exchange, Carry offers in-platform crypto investing. You can buy and hold crypto through their platform, but you don't get the same level of direct control.
For some investors, this is fine — even preferable. For others who want to trade on specific exchanges, use DeFi protocols, or hold tokens in specific wallets, it's a limitation.
Pros
- $0 setup fee
- Beautiful, modern app
- Fastest setup (days, not weeks)
- In-platform crypto buying
- Good for people who want simplicity
- Active product development
Cons
- Limited checkbook control
- Can't use your own exchange accounts
- Newer company — less track record
- No standard publisher affiliate program
- Pro tier ($499/yr) needed for full features
- Less flexibility for advanced crypto strategies
Best for: Investors who want the simplest possible experience and are happy buying/holding crypto through a managed platform. If you don't need to trade on specific exchanges or use DeFi, Carry's UX is hard to beat.
MySolo401k — Solid But No Affiliate Program
MySolo401k Financial
MySolo401k is a well-regarded provider with full checkbook control and good crypto support. Their pricing is competitive ($525 setup, $375/year), and they have a solid reputation in the self-directed retirement space.
We're including them here for completeness, but transparency compels us to note: MySolo401k explicitly does not pay affiliate commissions. That means we have no financial incentive to recommend them — or to not recommend them. Take that for what it's worth.
Pros
- Full checkbook control
- Competitive pricing
- Good reputation and track record
- Helpful customer support
- Reasonable setup timeline
Cons
- Website and UX aren't as modern
- Less crypto-specific marketing/content
- No affiliate program (not a con for you, but worth noting for transparency)
Best for: Investors who want a straightforward, no-frills provider with checkbook control. A solid middle-of-the-road choice.
IRA Financial — Full-Featured But Expensive
IRA Financial
IRA Financial offers full checkbook control and a broad range of self-directed investment options. They're one of the larger players in the self-directed retirement space and have a team of tax attorneys on staff.
The downside is cost. Their $999 setup fee is nearly double the competition, and while their annual fee ($360) is reasonable, the upfront investment is steep — especially when Rocket Dollar and Nabers offer similar checkbook control for significantly less.
Pros
- Full checkbook control
- In-house tax attorneys
- Broad investment options beyond crypto
- Established company with long track record
Cons
- $999 setup fee — highest in category
- Hard to justify the premium over competitors
- Dashboard is functional but not modern
Best for: Investors who want in-house legal expertise and plan to invest in a wide range of alternative assets beyond just crypto. If you're doing real estate, private equity, AND crypto in your Solo 401(k), the premium might be worth it.
Which Provider Should You Choose?
Here's the decision simplified by your situation:
You want the best overall experience
→ Rocket Dollar. Modern platform, full checkbook control, fast setup, reliable support. The standard choice for crypto-focused investors.
You want the lowest ongoing cost
→ Nabers Group. $348/year is the lowest annual fee with full checkbook control. Great educational resources too.
You want the simplest setup
→ Carry. $0 setup, beautiful app, days instead of weeks. Trade-off: less direct crypto control.
You're investing beyond just crypto
→ IRA Financial. If your Solo 401(k) will hold real estate, private equity, and crypto, their breadth makes sense despite the higher cost.
Our honest take: For most crypto investors reading this, the real choice is between Rocket Dollar and Nabers. Both offer full checkbook control. Rocket Dollar has the better UX; Nabers has the lower price and deeper educational content. You won't go wrong with either one.
A Note on Our Recommendations
We believe in being straight with you about how this site works.
Rocket Dollar and Nabers Group have affiliate programs. If you sign up through our links, we earn a commission — at no extra cost to you. Rocket Dollar pays a flat referral fee; Nabers pays a percentage of revenue for 12 months.
MySolo401k explicitly does not pay affiliate commissions. We included them anyway because a comparison that only shows providers who pay us wouldn't be very useful to you.
Carry doesn't have a standard publisher affiliate program. We included them because they're a legitimate option, especially for people who want simplicity.
Our editorial content is written first, then affiliate links are added to providers we'd recommend regardless. If a provider is bad, we won't recommend them just because they pay commissions. If a provider is good, we'll recommend them even if they don't.
Getting Started
If you're not sure whether you even qualify for a Solo 401(k), take the 60-second qualifier on our main page. It'll tell you if you're likely eligible and estimate your contribution limit.
If you want to understand the tax strategy behind all of this — why $72K/year in a Solo 401(k) is so powerful for crypto investors — read our explainer: The $72K Crypto Tax Shelter Most People Don't Know About.
And if you're ready to pick a provider, here are the direct links:
Open your Solo 401(k) for crypto
Both providers offer full checkbook control for investing in actual cryptocurrency.
Rocket Dollar — Best Overall → Nabers Group — Best Value →Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
The 2026 contribution deadline is December 31. Plans need to be established by year-end to make contributions for this tax year. If you're planning to act, don't wait until Q4 — setup takes 2–6 weeks depending on the provider.