IRVINE, CA / ACCESS Newswire / March 17, 2026 / iTrustCapital is seeing steady growth in 2026 as more long-term investors turn to the platform to buy physical gold and silver inside their retirement accounts. Precious metals gained significant attention throughout 2025, and that momentum has continued as savers look for stability in an increasingly uncertain economic environment.

At the same time, more investors are taking a closer look at the traditional Gold IRA industry and realizing that many of the issues that quietly impacted retirement portfolios for years, high-markup coins, aggressive sales tactics, unnecessary fees, and confusing account structures, are still very much present today.

Established Gold IRA Companies Under Renewed Scrutiny

For more than a decade, many Gold IRA companies have relied on a sales-driven playbook that most consumers don't fully understand until it's too late. Investors have frequently reported being steered toward "limited-edition" or "exclusive" coins carrying steep markups, often under the impression that these products offer special advantages over standard bullion.

In reality, many of these coins have limited resale demand. When investors eventually attempt to sell, often years later, they are commonly offered only spot pricing. The gap between what was paid and what the asset is actually worth can result in significant losses.

High fee structures remain another widespread concern. Some Gold IRA companies stack setup fees, storage fees, maintenance fees, annual fees, and exit fees into accounts without clearly explaining how those costs compound over time. Many investors don't fully grasp the impact until they try to liquidate their holdings and discover that fees have quietly eroded a meaningful portion of their retirement balance.

Liquidation is where things really fall apart. Even when the market rises, many investors find that the company they bought from offers buyback prices well below what they originally paid. Those who shop around don't fare much better; local dealers and pawn shops typically offer below spot price too. There's a reason for that: despite being marketed as "limited-mintage" collectibles, these coins are standard bullion. The moment you try to sell, the market treats them exactly as such.

While these practices are not new, they are receiving increased attention as more investors share their experiences publicly.

As some precious metals IRA companies shut their doors over deceptive practices and misrepresentation amid ongoing legal battles, investors are still being drawn in by scare-tactic marketing and high-commission sales pitches.

A Shift Toward Simpler, Direct Access

Retirement savers are reevaluating how and where they buy physical gold and silver. Many are moving away from phone-based sales processes and toward platforms that offer direct access, clearer real-time pricing, and the ability to make decisions without pressure.

This shift has led investors to platforms like iTrustCapital, where there's upfront clear pricing and fees, the process is more transparent and individuals can manage their accounts on their own terms.

iTrustCapital's Approach Resonates With Today's Investors

Since launching in 2018, iTrustCapital has built its platform around clarity, simplicity, and investor control.

The platform supports multiple account types: Tax-Advantaged IRAs for long-term retirement savings, Premium Custody Accounts for everyday investing, and Treasury Accounts for businesses and trusts, giving investors access to real physical gold and silver without commissioned salespeople, overpriced coins, or unnecessary fees. Clients can buy and sell 24/7 through an easy-to-use desktop and mobile platform, without needing to schedule phone calls or work through commissioned sales representatives pushing specific products. This approach stands in sharp contrast to the sales-heavy environment many investors have encountered elsewhere in the Gold IRA industry.

The company's customer support model reflects the same philosophy. Rather than relying on incentivized sales staff, iTrustCapital offers a 100% U.S.-based support team focused solely on client service, with no commission structure and no upsell incentives.

Liquidating is equally straightforward. Clients can sell their precious metals instantly through the platform without placing a phone call, navigating a lengthy process, or waiting on a representative, a contrast to the friction many investors have experienced at traditional Gold IRA companies.

"People come to us because they're tired of being sold to," said Kevin Maloney, CEO of iTrustCapital. "They don't want a commissioned salesperson pushing them into high-markup coins they don't fully understand, with the promise of tax-loophole advantages. With iTrustCapital, you buy physical gold and silver directly through the platform. No phone calls, no sales pitches. And when you're ready to sell, you just hit a button. That's it."

In addition to precious metals, iTrustCapital provides access to more than 90 cryptocurrencies and supports multiple self-directed account types, including IRAs, the company's Premium Custody Accounts for everyday investing, and Treasury Accounts for businesses and trusts. To date, the platform has earned more than 13,000 positive reviews across Google and Trustpilot.

A Clear Trend Throughout 2026

As interest in precious metals continues and concerns surrounding traditional Gold IRA companies persist, a growing number of retirement investors are choosing platforms that offer direct, low-friction access to physical gold and silver. In 2026, that shift has positioned iTrustCapital as a consistent choice for investors who want precious metals exposure without the complications that have quietly plagued the industry for years.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute investment advice in any way or constitute an offer to buy or sell any cryptocurrency, digital asset or security or to participate in any investment strategy.

iTrustCapital is a fintech software platform for alternative assets. iTrustCapital is not an exchange, funding portal, custodian, trust company, licensed broker, dealer, broker-dealer, investment advisor, investment manager, or adviser in the United States or elsewhere. iTrustCapital is not affiliated with and does not endorse any particular digital asset, precious metal or investment strategy. Investing in any digital asset, cryptocurrency or physical metal (including meme coins) carries significant risks due to their speculative and highly volatile nature. Past performance is not an indication of future results. No investment is completely risk-free, and every investment carries the potential for losing some or all of the principal amount invested. Cryptocurrency is not legal tender backed by the United States government, nor is it subject to Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") insurance or protections. Digital asset (Cryptocurrency) deposits held with institutional storage providers are never FDIC insured and may lose value. Clients do not receive a choice of custody partner. Investors assume the risk of all purchase and sale decisions. iTrustCapital makes no guarantee or representation regarding investors' ability to profit from any transaction or the tax implications of any transaction. iTrustCapital does not provide legal, investment or tax advice. Conduct your own research and consult with a qualified legal, investment, or tax professional to assess your own risk tolerance prior to investing. iTrustCapital makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of this information and does not have any liability for any representations (expressed or implied) or omissions from the information contained herein. iTrustCapital disclaims any and all liability to any party for any direct, indirect, implied, punitive, special, incidental or other consequential damages arising directly or indirectly from any use of this information, which is provided as is, without warranties.

Contact:

Robert Wilson
iTrustCapital
info@itrustcapital.com
(562) 600-8399

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SOURCE: iTrustCapital