The short answer: A gold IRA custodian is the regulated trust company that legally holds your IRA, keeps records, reports to the IRS and arranges storage. It does not sell you metal; that is the dealer’s job. Among well-known precious metals custodians, published 2026 fees for a commingled storage account run roughly $215 to $265 a year at GoldStar Trust and STRATA Trust, while Equity Trust uses an account fee that rises with account value plus separate storage. Compare total yearly cost, depository choices and service, not just the setup fee.
Retirement With Gold has no business relationship with any custodian on this page. Fees below come from published schedules summarized by third parties as of 2026 and can change. Confirm directly before opening an account.
What does a gold IRA custodian do?
- Holds the IRA as trustee or custodian, as IRS rules require
- Processes contributions, transfers, rollovers and distributions
- Pays the dealer from your IRA when you buy metal, on your written direction
- Arranges storage with an approved depository
- Reports year-end fair market value to the IRS on Form 5498 and distributions on Form 1099-R
Custodians are generally “directed”: they follow your instructions and do not recommend products or dealers. Some dealers steer clients to one custodian, but you can usually choose your own.
How do major gold IRA custodians compare?
| STRATA Trust Company | GoldStar Trust Company | Equity Trust Company | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Based in | Waco, Texas | Amarillo, Texas | Westlake, Ohio |
| Background | Operating since 2008; Texas-chartered trust company | Founded 1989; subsidiary of Centennial Bank (Home BancShares) | One of the largest self-directed IRA custodians |
| Setup fee | $50, waived if opened online | $50 | $0 online |
| Annual account fee | $150 (from Sept. 1, 2026) | $90 | About $225 and up, rising with account value |
| Commingled storage | $115 a year (from Sept. 1, 2026) | $125 a year | Billed separately by depository |
| Segregated storage | $175 a year | $225 a year minimum, more above $125,000 | Billed separately by depository |
| Typical yearly total, commingled | About $265 | About $215 | About $225 plus storage |
| Depositories | Delaware Depository (Delaware, Nevada); Texas Precious Metals Depository | Delaware Depository; International Depository Services; Texas Precious Metals Depository; A-M Global Logistics | Delaware Depository or Brink’s |
| Transaction fees | $40 per metals trade | Ask | Ask |
Note that flat fees cost the same whether you hold $25,000 or $250,000, while value-based fees grow as gold rises. Run your own numbers in our gold IRA fee and markup calculator.
How do you choose a gold IRA custodian?
- Total yearly cost for your account size, including storage.
- Fee structure: flat fees favor larger accounts; scaled fees can favor smaller ones.
- Depository choice and location, and whether segregated storage is offered for the metals you hold.
- Transaction and exit fees, including account closing and transfer-out charges.
- Online access to statements showing each product and quantity.
- Dealer flexibility: whether you can buy from and sell to any dealer you choose.
- Regulation and stability: a chartered trust company or bank-affiliated custodian, with years of operating history.
Custodian, dealer, depository: what is the difference?
| Role | Job | How paid |
|---|---|---|
| Custodian | Holds and administers the IRA | Setup and yearly fees |
| Dealer | Sells and buys back metal | Premium and spread |
| Depository | Stores and insures the metal | Storage fees, often billed by the custodian |
Keeping these roles separate is an important protection. In failures like Oxford Gold Group and Rosland Capital, metal already recorded by an independent custodian at an independent depository belonged to the IRA, not the dealer. See our guide to what a gold IRA protects against.
Can you change custodians later?
Yes. You can move a gold IRA to another custodian by trustee-to-trustee transfer, often moving the metal “in kind” without selling it. Expect a closing or transfer fee from the old custodian, and confirm the new custodian accepts your depository and products.
For the complete cost picture, read our gold IRA fees guide, and to choose the dealer side, see how to choose a gold IRA company.
Frequently asked questions
What is a gold IRA custodian?
A regulated trust company or bank that legally holds your self-directed IRA, processes transactions, arranges storage and reports to the IRS. It does not sell metal.
Which gold IRA custodian has the lowest fees?
Based on published 2026 schedules, GoldStar Trust's commingled storage account totals about $215 a year and STRATA Trust's about $265. Value-based fees like Equity Trust's can be lower or higher depending on account size.
Can I choose my own gold IRA custodian?
Usually yes. Custodians are directed and do not require a specific dealer, though some dealers prefer certain custodians. Confirm the dealer will work with your choice.
Does the custodian store my gold?
No. The custodian arranges storage at an approved depository and tracks your holdings.
Can I switch gold IRA custodians?
Yes, by trustee-to-trustee transfer, often moving the metal in kind. Expect a transfer or closing fee from the old custodian.
Is a custodian the same as a gold IRA company?
No. Gold IRA companies are usually dealers that sell metal. The custodian is a separate regulated firm that holds the account.
Sources: STRATA Trust fee summary (2026), GoldStar Trust review (2026), Equity Trust precious metals IRA summary. Fees change; confirm current schedules directly with each custodian.