This Startup Is Putting Bitcoin in Your 401(k)—And Hedge Fund Tech in Your Pocket
Staff Writer • 2025-06-01
When most people think about retirement, they picture index funds, employer-matched contributions, and maybe a late-stage real estate investment. What they don’t picture? Bitcoin. But Max Pace, CTO of BlockTrustIRA, says that’s exactly where things are headed. “We’re combining the high-growth potential of crypto with the structural benefits of a self-directed IRA,” Pace told Stonks Go Moon Podcast host Rocco Strydom. “You get exposure to the upside—without handing over control or getting killed by fees.” BlockTrustIRA is positioning itself as a next-gen retirement platform that lets users invest in digital assets like Bitcoin and Solana—all inside a tax-advantaged retirement account. But what separates it from early crypto IRA products is its hedge-fund-grade risk management tools and AI-driven trade execution. Why Retirement Accounts Need an Upgrade Traditional IRA and 401(k) providers have been slow to adapt, often excluding alternative assets altogether. While a few crypto-friendly retirement firms have popped up, Pace says they’ve largely failed investors. “The first wave charged massive transaction fees and left users to figure things out on their own. We’re doing the opposite—charging at cost, and helping manage risk,” he said. That management comes from a sophisticated stack of tools. Pace and his team have spent years developing data-driven models that aggregate everything from on-chain activity and macroeconomic indicators to Twitter sentiment and geopolitical risk. AI Does the Heavy Lifting Artificial intelligence plays a key role in making crypto a viable long-term investment. “We use NLP to score emotions from news articles and podcasts. We also use neural networks to make sense of thousands of data points and predict price movements,” Pace explained. The platform allows investors to subscribe to automated strategies that execute trades—even at 3 a.m.—if the system detects downside risk. But crucially, the funds stay in the investor’s custody the entire time. “You’re not handing your money to a hedge fund,” Pace emphasized. “You own the account. You just get hedge-fund-level tools on the back end.” The Case for Crypto in a Retirement Portfolio Despite its volatility, Bitcoin has outperformed nearly every asset over the past 15 years. For many, that’s reason enough to consider a small allocation. “Bitcoin represents opt-out money,” Pace said. “When governments mismanage currency and inflate away your purchasing power, crypto offers a way out.” He’s not alone. Institutional interest in Bitcoin is soaring—even legacy firms once dismissive of crypto are now rushing to catch up. BlockTrustIRA is betting that everyday investors will follow. “We’re bringing elite-level tools to the average American. Whether you have a self-directed IRA or just want to start with cash, this is for people who want exposure but need guardrails,” said Pace.
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