Many retirees still view crypto as a young person’s game, but they are increasingly wondering whether carefully chosen platforms can safely open the door.
Gallup polls show that nearly one in four American adults own some form of cryptocurrency, yet adoption by people over 50 lags far behind younger investors. This difference suggests that older Americans are less afraid of crypto and more wary of confusing exchanges, opaque fees, and headline-grabbing hacks.
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Those concerns have put the platform at center stage, as the wrong app can quietly increase volatility through high spreads, hidden fees and poor security measures on every transaction. The New York Times says interface design, security standards and fee structures now vary widely across exchanges, making the choice of platform almost as important as the investment choice.
For retirees, the real question isn’t just “Should I own crypto?” But “which platforms are actually designed to minimize risk and fees over time?”
Fidelity Digital Assets
Fidelity is one of the most retiree-friendly platforms, leveraging its experience with retirement accounts and focus on compliance.
According to the New York Times, Fidelity now allows some 401(k) participants to allocate a portion of their assets to Bitcoin, with digital asset account fees typically ranging from 0.75% to 0.90% and additional competitive trading fees. These fees are significantly lower than many established crypto-only platforms, making Fidelity one of the few mainstream companies to offer crypto options directly to retirees.
Fidelity also emphasizes custodial security, strong insurance and educational resources for cautious, long-term investors. In addition to transparent pricing, the platform restricts overly risky investments by limiting Bitcoin allocation to a certain percentage of the portfolio, helping to manage overall retirement risk exposure.
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coinbase
Coinbase remains a leading US-based crypto exchange and is regularly cited by the New York Times as a “trusted and easy-to-use platform for accessing the broader crypto-economy.” It offers a simple interface, strong insurance coverage and all the priorities for retirees concerned about regulatory compliance, scams and account security.
According to Forbes, the standard Coinbase platform charges about 1.49% per trade for most simple transactions, which is competitive among US exchanges for retail clients. For retirees who prefer a “set-and-forget” approach, Coinbase’s staking option and simple buy-and-hold features help reduce trading frequency and overall fee risk.
Schwab Crypto Platform
Charles Schwab’s entry into the crypto sphere is shaping how institutional-grade retirement options are evolving.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Schwab offers a crypto-focused ETF, the Schwab Crypto Thematic ETF, which is designed to provide exposure with lower fees and more monitoring than direct crypto exchanges. This structure minimizes individual custody risks and makes it easier for retirees to integrate crypto exposure into existing brokerage or IRA accounts.
The Schwab platform emphasizes education, control, and transparency, with ETFs providing built-in risk management through automated diversification. Transaction fees for ETF structuring are typically lower than the 1% to 2% transaction costs seen on direct crypto exchanges.
iTrustCapital
iTrustCapital specializes in crypto IRAs and has built a reputation for regulatory transparency and low-cost investing. According to Forbes, iTrustCapital enables Americans to buy and hold cryptocurrencies and precious metals in tax-advantaged retirement accounts without monthly account fees. Trades are priced competitively at 1% per transaction, a flat structure that avoids complex, high-frequency costs.
Its dedicated focus on IRAs means retirees get tailored guidance and strong compliance with US retirement account laws. Secure custody partnerships and insured account storage further benefit those who prioritize capital preservation and risk control.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 4 Inexpensive Cryptocurrencies Retirees Should Consider Before 2026
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