STRATA Trust Company Review

STRATA Trust Company is a directed custodian specializing in self-directed individual retirement accounts. It administers accounts that can hold private-market investments, directly owned real estate, precious metals, and public securities. This broader investment menu can appeal to investors whose preferred assets are unavailable through an ordinary brokerage IRA.

STRATA does not select investments, negotiate purchases, or determine whether an opportunity is suitable. As a directed or passive custodian, it follows the account owner’s eligible instructions, holds or records assets, processes transactions, and performs required account reporting. The owner remains responsible for investment research, pricing, compliance, liquidity, and performance.

STRATA Trust Company Overview

STRATA Trust Company was established in 2008 and primarily provides custody and administration for self-directed IRAs. The company reported more than $10 billion in assets under custody in 2026. Its available account structures include Traditional, Roth, SEP and SIMPLE IRAs, as well as eligible inherited accounts.

Available Investments and Account Tiers

Investors can use STRATA accounts to hold accepted private equity, private debt, directly owned real estate, precious metals, and other alternative assets. Public investments such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds may also be held through a properly titled brokerage account. Under the current fee schedule, the Precious Metals Tier has a $150 annual IRA fee, with storage priced at $115 for commingled holdings or $175 for qualifying segregated holdings. The Flex Tier has a $395 annual fee, with additional holding charges based on the assets in the account.

Advice and Investor Suitability

STRATA does not provide investment advice. Its services are best suited to investors who already understand the asset they want to purchase, are prepared to perform independent due diligence, and need a custodian capable of administering specialized IRA holdings.

Quick Verdict: Is STRATA Trust Company Worth Considering?

STRATA Trust Company is worth considering when an investor has a specific alternative-asset strategy and needs a custodian with experience administering private investments, real estate or physical precious metals. Its published pricing, electronic forms, established operating history and asset-specific support resources are notable strengths.

The company is less suitable for investors who need portfolio recommendations, investment screening or the lowest-cost way to hold conventional securities. A mainstream brokerage IRA will generally be simpler and less expensive for a portfolio composed solely of stocks, bonds, mutual funds and exchange-traded funds.

The most important distinction is between custody and investment quality. STRATA’s acceptance or processing of an asset does not mean the company has endorsed the investment, verified a promoter’s claims or concluded that the price is fair. Investors must conduct independent due diligence and understand self-directed IRA rules before directing a transaction.

What Is STRATA Trust Company?

STRATA Trust Company is a financial institution that provides custodial and administrative services for self-directed IRAs. The company traces its operations to 2008 and originally operated as Self Directed IRA Services before adopting the STRATA Trust Company name. Its published corporate timeline states that assets under custody exceeded $10 billion in 2026.

Assets under custody are client assets administered by STRATA. They are not the company’s revenue, balance-sheet investments or evidence of client returns. The figure primarily indicates the size of the company’s custodial platform and operating experience.

STRATA serves individual investors as well as financial professionals, investment sponsors and precious-metals dealers. Its role can include opening accounts, receiving transfers and rollovers, reviewing transaction documents for administrative acceptability, sending IRA funds, recording ownership, processing income and expenses, issuing statements and completing applicable IRS reporting.

STRATA describes itself as a directed passive custodian. This means its review is generally focused on custody requirements rather than economic merit. It does not perform investment due diligence, provide tax or legal advice, or sponsor or sell investments.

What Is a STRATA Self-Directed IRA?

A self-directed IRA follows the same core federal tax rules as another IRA of the same type. The difference is the range of investments the custodian is prepared to administer. A conventional brokerage IRA normally concentrates on publicly traded securities, while a self-directed IRA can potentially hold private companies, loans, physical precious metals and real estate.

“Self-directed” does not provide an exemption from contribution limits, distribution rules, prohibited-transaction restrictions or required minimum distributions. It also does not mean the investor can personally hold IRA property or mix retirement assets with personal funds. The IRA is the legal owner of its assets, and documentation must reflect that ownership.

The expanded investment menu introduces additional responsibilities. Alternative assets may lack audited statements, transparent pricing, daily liquidity or an active secondary market. They can also create unusual tax filings, annual valuation requirements and substantial exit costs.

STRATA Trust Company Account Types

STRATA currently focuses on four principal IRA structures. The appropriate choice depends on income, employment, tax treatment and business circumstances.

Traditional IRA

A Traditional IRA offers tax-deferred investment growth. Contributions may be deductible when the investor satisfies applicable rules, while taxable withdrawals are generally treated as ordinary income. Required minimum distributions normally apply beginning at the legally prescribed age.

Roth IRA

A Roth IRA is funded with after-tax contributions. Qualified distributions can be tax-free when the holding-period and qualifying-event requirements are met. Original Roth IRA owners are not generally subject to lifetime required minimum distributions. Income eligibility rules apply to direct contributions.

SEP IRA

A SEP IRA is intended mainly for self-employed people and business owners. Employer contributions can be larger than ordinary IRA contributions, subject to annual limits and compensation rules. The employer may need to contribute consistently for eligible employees under the plan.

SIMPLE IRA

A SIMPLE IRA is designed for qualifying small employers. Employees may make salary-reduction contributions, while the employer generally provides a matching or nonelective contribution. Special distribution rules apply during the initial two-year participation period.

STRATA also processes eligible inherited IRAs. Beneficiary distribution rules can be complex and depend on the original owner’s age, date of death and relationship to the beneficiary. Specialized tax advice is prudent before transferring, retitling or distributing an inherited account.

What Can a STRATA Self-Directed IRA Hold?

STRATA supports both alternative and conventional investments, subject to account eligibility, documentation and its asset-acceptance requirements. The fact that an asset is not expressly prohibited by federal law does not obligate a custodian to accept it.

Private Equity

A STRATA IRA may invest in accepted private-company stock, limited partnerships, limited liability companies, venture investments and private funds. These opportunities can offer access to businesses outside public markets, but they may provide limited financial disclosure and impose long holding periods, transfer restrictions or capital calls.

Before investing, an owner should examine the issuer’s management, financial statements, capitalization, conflicts, use of proceeds, fees, valuation policy and exit strategy. STRATA’s administrative acceptance is not an endorsement of the issuer.

Private Debt

Eligible promissory notes, mortgage notes, trust deeds and other private lending arrangements may be held. The investor is responsible for reviewing the borrower, collateral, priority of the security interest, repayment schedule and default remedies. Loans involving the owner or another disqualified person can violate prohibited-transaction rules.

Directly Owned Real Estate

A self-directed IRA may purchase eligible residential property, commercial property, rental property or undeveloped land. The property must be titled for the benefit of the IRA rather than in the owner’s personal name. Income must return to the IRA, and property expenses should be paid from IRA funds.

The owner, spouse and other disqualified persons generally cannot live in, vacation in or personally benefit from IRA-owned property. The investor should also maintain enough cash in the account for taxes, insurance, repairs, management charges and other expenses.

Gold and Other Precious Metals

STRATA supports eligible gold, silver, platinum and palladium coins and bullion. The metals must meet federal requirements and STRATA’s acceptance standards, and they must be held through an approved third-party depository rather than in the owner’s home.

Public Investments

Publicly traded stocks, bonds and mutual funds can be held through a brokerage account titled in the name of STRATA Trust Company for the benefit of the IRA. Investors may be able to use another brokerage firm when the account is titled and administered correctly. Brokerage commissions, fund expenses and account charges can apply separately.

Other Private Assets

Depending on the structure and STRATA’s review, other investments may include structured settlements, futures or selected private-market interests. Investors should request the relevant custody checklist before signing a contract or sending nonrefundable money.

How a STRATA Trust Company IRA Works

The process starts by selecting a Traditional, Roth, SEP or SIMPLE IRA and completing STRATA’s online or paper application. The account can then be funded through an eligible contribution, IRA-to-IRA transfer, retirement-plan rollover or a combination of these methods.

Once funds are available, the investor identifies the asset and completes independent due diligence. STRATA requires investment directions and asset-specific documents. If the transaction meets administrative and custody requirements, the company sends IRA funds according to the owner’s instructions and records the investment in the account.

After purchase, all investment income should return to the IRA. Expenses associated with a directly held asset should normally be paid from the IRA. The owner must provide valuation documentation when required and maintain enough cash to cover fees, expenses, taxes and distributions.

When exiting, the IRA may sell the asset, transfer it to another custodian or distribute it in kind. Sales and transfers involving alternative assets can take longer than an ordinary securities trade because documents, valuations, issuer consent, depository activity or title changes may be necessary.

STRATA Trust Company Fees

STRATA’s current public schedule divides individual accounts into a Precious Metals Tier and a Flex Tier. Annual fees are charged when the account is opened and on its anniversary. They are not prorated.

Precious Metals Tier Fees

The Precious Metals Tier is designed for accounts holding physical IRA-eligible metals. The current annual IRA fee is $150. Storage is additional.

Annual IRA and Storage Charges

The published annual IRA fee for the Precious Metals Tier is $150. Commingled storage costs $115 annually, while qualifying segregated storage costs $175 annually. A purchase, sale or exchange carries a $40 processing fee, depository handling or processing costs $35, and shipping is charged at $10 plus the depository’s cost.

Segregated storage applies to gold, platinum and palladium under the published schedule, although depository exceptions may apply. Investors should confirm whether silver can be segregated, how holdings are identified and whether multiple depositories generate additional charges.

Flex Tier Fees

The Flex Tier supports a broader mix of investments, including private assets, directly owned real estate, public securities and precious metals. Its current annual IRA fee is $395. Asset-holding charges apply in addition to the base fee.

Annual and Asset-Holding Charges

The Flex Tier carries a $395 annual IRA fee. Each private asset adds an annual $50 holding fee, capped at 10 assets or $500, while each directly owned property adds $150 annually, capped at 10 properties or $1,500. STRATA charges $50 to purchase, sell or exchange a private asset and $150 for a real-estate purchase, sale or exchange. A late annual valuation update carries a $50 charge.

If a Flex account also owns physical precious metals, the applicable storage charges are added. An investor with several assets should therefore model the base fee, annual holding charges and expected transaction costs together.

Setup, Service and Exit Fees

The current schedule lists a $50 account-setup fee that is waived for electronic setup. Other charges include a $35 outgoing wire, $50 paper-statement fee per year that is waived with electronic statements, $50 late-payment charge, and $50 plus courier cost for overnight shipping.

A cash transfer out is listed at $100 but is waived for the Flex Tier. Account closure or reinstatement is $250. Asset re-registration due to a transfer, distribution or reinstatement is $100, with possible third-party re-registration charges.

These figures do not capture every possible expense. Total cost can also include dealer markups and spreads, brokerage expenses, sponsor or fund fees, appraisals, property management, insurance, legal work, tax preparation, depository charges and third-party transfer costs.

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Example of Annual STRATA Costs

A metals-only IRA using commingled storage would have a published recurring base cost of $265 before transaction, shipping, dealer or special-service charges: $150 for the IRA and $115 for storage. The equivalent published base cost with segregated storage would be $325.

A Flex IRA holding two private investments would have a published recurring cost of $495 before other charges: the $395 annual IRA fee plus two $50 holding fees. A Flex IRA holding one directly owned property would have a published recurring cost of $545 before property-level expenses and transaction charges.

These examples are illustrative rather than quotes. An institutional relationship, legacy schedule or specially negotiated arrangement may have different pricing. Investors should obtain written confirmation for the exact account and assets they plan to hold.

STRATA Precious Metals IRA Process

STRATA is the custodian, not the precious-metals dealer. It does not buy, sell or exchange metals and states that it is not affiliated with dealers or their sales representatives. The investor chooses the dealer, selects eligible products and approves the quoted price.

Opening and Funding the Account

The process begins by opening and funding a STRATA self-directed IRA. The investor then selects an independent precious-metals dealer and requests an itemized trade confirmation showing the products, quantities and prices.

Selecting Metals and Storage

Before completing the purchase, the investor should confirm that every product satisfies both IRS rules and STRATA’s acceptance standards. The investor must also choose an approved depository and select the available storage arrangement.

Authorizing and Completing the Purchase

The investor submits directions authorizing STRATA to send IRA funds to the dealer. The dealer then ships the metals directly to the selected depository rather than to the investor. After settlement, the investor should review the STRATA account record and the depository documentation for accuracy.

Selling the Metals

When the investor decides to exit, the investor obtains a dealer bid and authorizes the sale through the custodian. The final proceeds will reflect the dealer’s bid, the bid-ask spread and applicable processing, handling or shipping expenses.

STRATA currently identifies Delaware Depository and Texas Precious Metals Depository as storage providers it works with. Availability and terms should be confirmed before purchase.

IRA-Eligible Precious Metals

STRATA publishes minimum fineness standards of 99.5% for gold, 99.9% for silver and 99.95% for platinum and palladium. Eligible bars, rounds and coins must also satisfy manufacturer, condition and documentation standards. Certain statutorily permitted coins, including American Gold Eagles, receive special treatment even though their composition does not meet the general 99.5% gold standard.

Collectible and rare coins usually do not qualify. A coin’s high price, scarcity or description as an investment-grade product does not make it IRA eligible. Investors should confirm eligibility by exact mint, metal, weight, purity and product type before authorizing payment.

Commingled vs. Segregated Storage

Commingled storage holds an investor’s fungible bullion alongside equivalent metals belonging to other customers while maintaining ownership records. A future withdrawal may be fulfilled with equivalent items rather than the exact serial-numbered bars originally delivered.

Segregated storage keeps qualifying holdings separately identified for the account. It costs more under STRATA’s schedule and may matter to investors who want specific bars preserved. The practical value depends on the products, depository procedures, insurance and withdrawal objectives.

Neither arrangement allows personal possession while the metals remain in the IRA. IRS guidance generally requires qualifying bullion to remain in the physical possession of a bank or approved nonbank trustee. Home-storage structures can create distribution or prohibited-transaction risk and should not be adopted without independent legal advice.

Dealer Pricing and Buybacks

Custodial and storage fees are only part of the cost of a precious-metals IRA. Dealers usually sell coins and bars above their underlying metal value and repurchase them below retail prices. The difference between purchase and resale prices can create an immediate loss even if the metal’s spot price is unchanged.

Information to Request From the Dealer

Before purchasing, an investor should request the live spot price used for the quote and the dollar price and percentage premium for each product. The dealer should also provide its current repurchase bid for the same products so the investor can estimate the immediate spread. Written disclosures should identify commissions, sales incentives and the economics of any promotional metals. The investor should confirm that the account is free to sell through another dealer and request an estimate of shipping, insurance, custodian and depository charges.

A dealer buyback program does not normally guarantee the original price, a profit or a fixed percentage of spot. STRATA’s role as custodian should not be interpreted as a guarantee of dealer performance.

Technology and Client Service

STRATA provides an online account portal and electronic forms. Its ServiceNOW system allows clients to complete, sign and submit many requests without printing or mailing documents. The Investment Hub supplies asset-specific onboarding and transaction checklists.

Digital tools can reduce paperwork and submission errors, but alternative investments still require human review and third-party coordination. Processing time depends on document completeness, the transaction type, the sending custodian, the issuer, the dealer and the depository.

Investors facing a real-estate closing or private-offering deadline should ask STRATA for current processing expectations before signing a binding agreement. Expedited shipping does not necessarily accelerate legal review, issuer consent or title work.

Uninvested Cash and Account Protection

STRATA states that uninvested account cash is placed in interest-bearing custodial accounts at selected depository banks and may qualify for FDIC insurance up to $250,000 per depositor, subject to aggregation rules and applicable limits. The interest rate is determined by STRATA.

FDIC protection applies to qualifying bank deposits, not alternative investments. It does not protect private equity, real estate, promissory notes or precious metals against market losses, fraud, borrower default or issuer failure. Similarly, physical metal relies on the depository’s security, recordkeeping and insurance rather than FDIC insurance.

Investors should request information about cash-bank arrangements, pass-through coverage, depository insurance and the legal ownership record for each asset. Public securities held through a brokerage relationship can have different protection rules, but SIPC coverage does not protect against investment losses.

Prohibited Transactions and Disqualified Persons

Self-directed IRA owners must avoid transactions that improperly benefit themselves or another disqualified person. Disqualified persons generally include the account owner, spouse, ancestors, lineal descendants, spouses of lineal descendants, fiduciaries and certain related businesses or service providers.

Potential violations include borrowing from the IRA, selling personal property to it, personally using IRA-owned real estate, paying an IRA expense with personal funds or directing IRA benefits to a related person. Indirect arrangements can also create problems.

The consequences may include loss of the IRA’s tax-advantaged status and additional taxes. STRATA’s processing of documents is not a legal determination that a transaction is permissible. Investors should obtain advice from a professional experienced with Internal Revenue Code Sections 408 and 4975 when family members, related entities, personal services or compensation are involved.

UBIT, UDFI and Leveraged Investments

An IRA is tax advantaged, but it is not exempt from every tax. Unrelated business taxable income may arise when the account invests in an active trade or business through a pass-through entity. Unrelated debt-financed income can arise when an IRA-owned investment uses borrowed money.

These issues often appear in leveraged real estate, private partnerships and operating companies. The IRA may need to file Form 990-T and pay tax from account funds. Investors should review the proposed structure with a tax professional before committing capital, not after receiving a tax document.

Fair-Market Valuation Requirements

Alternative assets do not have readily available daily market prices. STRATA may require annual fair-market value documentation from the issuer, manager, borrower, appraiser or another qualified source. The valuation can affect Form 5498 reporting, required minimum distributions, Roth conversions, distributions and account fees.

An investor should ask who will provide annual values, what evidence STRATA accepts and what happens if an issuer stops reporting. STRATA’s current schedule lists a $50 charge for a late annual fair-market-value or good-faith-estimate update.

STRATA Trust Company Reviews and Reputation

Public reviews contain both favorable and critical experiences. Positive comments frequently discuss helpful staff, clear instructions and efficient account service. Complaints often focus on fees, transfer timing, document requirements or difficulty moving illiquid assets.

At the time of review, the Better Business Bureau identified STRATA Trust Company as not BBB accredited. Accreditation is voluntary and is different from a customer-review score or regulatory approval. BBB customer reviews and complaints should be assessed in context, including the company’s account volume and its responses.

When reviewing complaints, determine which party controlled the disputed step. A transfer can involve the prior custodian, STRATA, an investment issuer, a dealer and a depository. Likewise, poor performance by an asset held at STRATA is not necessarily evidence of custodial failure. The useful question is whether STRATA accurately disclosed its role, followed authorized instructions and administered the account consistently with the governing agreement.

Potential Advantages of STRATA Trust Company

Alternative-Asset Experience

STRATA has administered self-directed accounts since 2008 and supports several complex asset categories. This experience may benefit investors holding private investments, directly owned real estate or physical precious metals that require specialized documentation and administration.

Transparent Fees and a Dedicated Metals Tier

The company publishes its principal account, storage, transaction and exit charges, making it easier to estimate ownership costs. Investors holding only precious metals can use the dedicated metals tier, which has a lower annual account fee than the broader Flex Tier.

Broad Investment Access

The platform can accommodate accepted private assets, real estate, precious metals and public investments. This flexibility may allow an investor to hold several asset classes through one self-directed custodian, subject to STRATA’s acceptance requirements.

Electronic Forms and Account Resources

ServiceNOW and other online resources can simplify routine submissions and reduce the need to mail paperwork. STRATA also provides asset-specific checklists explaining the documents generally required to onboard and transact in different investments.

Storage Options

Precious-metals investors can select commingled storage or qualifying segregated storage through identified depositories. The appropriate choice depends on cost, the type of metal and whether retaining specifically identified holdings matters to the investor.

Potential Limitations of STRATA Trust Company

No Investment Advice or Due Diligence

STRATA does not evaluate the economic merits of an investment. Account owners are responsible for investigating sponsors, borrowers, dealers and assets, including their pricing, financial condition, conflicts and liquidity.

Higher and Potentially Accumulating Costs

Annual administration, asset-holding and transaction charges can exceed the cost of a conventional brokerage IRA. Flex Tier expenses can increase when an account owns several private assets or properties because annual holding fees are added to the $395 base charge.

Liquidity and Exit Challenges

Alternative investments may be difficult to sell or transfer. An exit can depend on issuer cooperation, current valuations, buyer availability and asset re-registration. Account closure, re-registration and third-party charges can also make switching custodians more expensive.

Custody and Compliance Requirements

IRA-owned bullion must remain with an approved third-party depository rather than in the investor’s personal possession. More broadly, the account owner must actively manage tax filings, valuations, liquidity and prohibited-transaction risk throughout the investment period.

STRATA vs. a Conventional Brokerage IRA

Purpose and Investment Selection

A STRATA self-directed IRA is principally designed for alternative-asset custody and an expanded range of investments. It may hold private equity, private debt, real estate, precious metals and eligible securities. A conventional brokerage IRA generally focuses on publicly traded stocks, bonds, exchange-traded funds, mutual funds and options.

Costs and Advice

STRATA applies tiered annual fees and may charge additional asset-specific and transaction fees. Many standard online brokerage IRAs have no base annual custody charge, although investment and advisory costs may still apply. STRATA does not provide investment advice, while conventional brokerage services range from self-directed trading to managed advisory programs.

Speed, Liquidity and Valuation

Alternative transactions at STRATA may require document review and coordination with issuers, dealers or depositories. Public securities at a brokerage can usually be traded quickly during market hours. STRATA-held alternative assets may also have limited liquidity and require valuation documentation, whereas exchange-traded securities typically have readily available market prices.

Compliance Responsibilities

A STRATA account generally creates a higher compliance and administrative burden because the owner must consider prohibited transactions, annual values, asset expenses and specialized tax issues. A conventional IRA holding ordinary securities is normally simpler to administer.

Investors do not need alternative assets merely because they are available. A diversified portfolio of low-cost public funds may be more suitable for many retirement savers. STRATA is most relevant when the desired investment cannot be efficiently held through a standard brokerage.

Who May Be a Good Fit?

STRATA may be appropriate for investors who have substantial experience in real estate, private lending, private businesses or precious metals and want to hold those assets in an eligible tax-advantaged account. It may also suit financial professionals or investment sponsors that need an experienced custody platform for client-directed alternative assets.

A suitable investor should be comfortable researching opportunities independently, maintaining account liquidity, paying specialized fees and working with tax or legal advisers when transactions are complex.

Who May Want an Alternative?

STRATA may not be the best choice for investors who want discretionary portfolio management, fiduciary investment recommendations or a simple index-fund IRA. It may also be unsuitable for someone who needs immediate liquidity, wants to personally use IRA property or expects the custodian to protect against a poor investment decision.

A standard brokerage IRA may be more economical for public securities. A different self-directed custodian may be preferable if it accepts a required asset that STRATA will not hold or offers a fee structure better matched to the investor’s balance and transaction volume.

Questions to Ask Before Opening a STRATA Account

Asset Acceptance and Documentation

An investor should first confirm that STRATA will accept the exact asset and transaction structure under consideration. The investor should also ask which documents must be submitted before STRATA can release funds and who will be responsible for providing annual fair-market valuations.

Fees and Processing Times

Before opening the account, the investor should identify the applicable tier and request a complete estimate of first-year, recurring and exit costs. It is also important to ask how long purchases, sales, transfers and in-kind distributions normally take.

Tax and Compliance Risks

The proposed investment should be reviewed for possible UBIT or UDFI and for transactions involving a disqualified person or an impermissible personal benefit. Investors should determine how much uninvested cash should remain available for administrative fees, investment expenses and possible taxes.

Protection and Exit Planning

Investors should understand what protections apply separately to cash, securities, metals and private assets. They should also ask what happens if an issuer, borrower, dealer or depository stops cooperating and determine how the asset will ultimately be sold, transferred or distributed. The custodial agreement should be reviewed carefully for the provisions governing fees, valuations and account closure.

How to Compare STRATA With Other Custodians

Compare custodians using the same asset, account value and expected activity. A low base fee can be offset by holding or transaction charges, while a higher flat fee may be economical for an active account with several assets.

Account and Transaction Costs

The comparison should include account-opening charges, annual administration expenses and per-asset, transaction and valuation fees. Precious-metals investors should add storage and shipping costs, while all investors should consider wire, paper-statement and special-service charges.

Transfer and Exit Expenses

Transfer, re-registration, distribution and account-closure charges should be compared before funding an account. These costs can become particularly important when an illiquid asset must be moved or distributed in kind.

Asset Support and Processing

Investors should compare which assets each custodian accepts, what documentation is required and how well the online platform supports routine transactions. Normal processing times and the custodian’s experience with the specific asset class can be as important as the published fee.

Cash Management and Client Support

The final comparison should review how uninvested cash is handled, whether interest is credited and what applicable deposit protection may exist. Investors should also assess the accessibility and quality of account support, particularly when a time-sensitive or complex transaction is anticipated.

Final Assessment

STRATA Trust Company offers a credible custody platform for investors who want retirement-account access to private assets, directly owned real estate, physical precious metals or a combination of alternative and public investments. Its current fee schedule is relatively transparent, and the dedicated Precious Metals Tier provides a straightforward option for a metals-only IRA.

The tradeoff is the cost and responsibility associated with self-directed investing. STRATA does not recommend investments, investigate promoters or guarantee liquidity. The investor must evaluate the asset, follow tax rules, obtain valuations, maintain sufficient cash and plan the exit.

STRATA is likely to be most useful when the investor has a specific, well-researched alternative investment that cannot be held efficiently at a standard brokerage. It is less compelling for a small account containing only conventional funds or for someone seeking active financial advice.

Before opening an account, obtain the current written fee schedule, verify that STRATA will accept the exact asset, compare at least two custodians on an all-in basis and consult qualified tax or legal professionals when related parties, leverage, private entities or unusual distributions are involved.