Interview: Crypto now a ‘strategic asset,’ not a ‘speculative play,’ says BlockTrust IRA CEO Jonathan Rose amidst IRA surge

As cryptocurrencies continue to mature as an asset class, more investors are exploring ways to integrate them into long-term financial planning—particularly through retirement accounts.

Many investors are turning to crypto IRAs as a way to combine the tax benefits of retirement accounts with the growth potential and diversification offered by digital assets.

However, the approach isn’t without risk.

Cryptocurrency’s inherent volatility can significantly affect portfolio values, which is especially concerning for those nearing retirement, who may not have time to recover from sharp market downturns.

To understand how this evolving landscape is shaping investor behaviour, Invezz spoke with Jonathan Rose, CEO of BlockTrust IRA, a platform that helps investors build diversified, crypto-inclusive retirement portfolios through AI-powered managed accounts and self-directed IRAs.

The platform has onboarded nearly $50 million in managed IRAs since the launch of its Managed Crypto IRA 3 months ago, apart from the user base of investors who wish to self-manage on the BlockTrust platform due to our industry low trading fees, Rose shared, adding that the average IRA transfer or 401k rollover is around $50,000. 

Rose is confident BlockTrust will reach its $100 million AUM target by year-end, citing strong demand, a streamlined onboarding process, and increasing referrals.

He also drew a clear distinction between crypto IRAs and spot Bitcoin ETFs.

Rose adds:

ETFs are passive, one-size-fits-all products. We offer an actively managed, tax-advantaged way to capture the upside of a digital asset boom and mitigate downside risk.

Excerpts from an emailed interaction:

A ‘major shift’ in retirement thinking

Invezz: What trends are you seeing in investor demand for crypto in retirement accounts today?

We’re seeing a major shift in how Americans think about retirement investing.

More investors are realizing that traditional portfolios aren’t enough to keep pace with inflation, global instability, or tech disruption.

Crypto is no longer just a speculative play; it’s becoming a strategic asset.

At BlockTrust, we’ve seen significant growth in IRA rollovers from people who want exposure to digital assets but also want a managed, secure, and tax-advantaged way to do it.

Volatility: a feature, not a bug

Invezz: You’ve stated that BlockTrust embraces crypto market volatility to generate returns. How does your quantitative trading strategy mitigate the inherent risks of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum?

Volatility is often seen as a downside in crypto. For us, it’s an opportunity.

Our AI-driven trading algorithm is designed to thrive in dynamic markets by identifying trends and capitalizing on momentum shifts across Bitcoin and Ethereum.

We don’t just hold Bitcoin and hope it goes up.  We use data and cutting-edge technology to actively manage positions, hedge against downside, and protect capital.

Risk isn’t eliminated; however we help our clients navigate that risk in a strategic way.

A political tailwind from Washington

Invezz: Recent developments, such as the passage of the Carey Bill in April, are gradually solidifying the promise of a crypto-friendly regulatory environment under President Donald Trump. How do you see such policies shaping the adoption of crypto IRAs in the coming years?

The Carey Bill is a major milestone, signalling that Washington is finally getting serious about integrating digital assets into the mainstream financial system.

This shift should lower the perceived risk, encourage adoption, and empower everyday Americans to diversify with confidence.

We expect this policy momentum to further accelerate the growth of self-directed crypto retirement accounts.

By the numbers: on pace for $100 million

Invezz: Can you share any numbers on BlockTrust IRA’s growth—AUM, user demographics, or average portfolio size? Are you confident of hitting $100M in assets by the end of this year as projected?

Since the launch of our Managed Crypto IRA just 3 months ago, we have onboarded nearly $50 million in the managed IRAs alone, not to mention users who wish to self-manage on the BlockTrust platform due to our industry low trading fees.

The average IRA transfer or 401k rollover is around $50,000. 

Our average client is at or approaching retirement age and, for many, this is their first venture into the Cryptocurrency space.

That being said, we have clients of all ages, including international clients who use our services for non-IRA investments. 

Based on our current momentum, we are on track to hit our $100 million AUM target by the end of the year.

Demand is strong, the onboarding process is simple, and we’re scaling quickly thanks to both client referrals and favourable market conditions.

Beyond the Bitcoin ETF: the case for active management

Invezz: How do you view the growing popularity of spot Bitcoin ETFs? Do they complement or compete with BlockTrust’s crypto IRA offerings?

Generally speaking, we view spot Bitcoin ETFs as complementary.

They help legitimize the asset class, bring in institutional flows, and raise awareness, therefore benefitting everyone in the space.

However from a client’s perspective it is critical to understand the fundamental differences between ETFs and what we offer at BlockTrust.

ETFs are passive, one-size-fits-all products. We offer an actively managed, tax-advantaged way to capture the upside of a digital asset boom and mitigate downside risk.

Our clients want more than just exposure to Bitcoin. They want a legitimate strategy.

That being said, ultimately any developments that offer increased exposure to cryptocurrencies should be beneficial to our continued growth

The post Interview: Crypto now a 'strategic asset,' not a 'speculative play,' says BlockTrust IRA CEO Jonathan Rose amidst IRA surge appeared first on Invezz