--- title: What types of investments can I hold in my AET SDIRA? description: Help Center --- [Skip to content](https://support.aetrust.com/what-types-of-investments-can-i-hold-in-my-aet-sdira#main-content) English Show submenu for translations [More support](https://support.aetrust.com/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en) [Customer portal](https://cs.aetrust.com/tickets-view?hsLang=en) [![American Estate & Trust](https://support.aetrust.com/hubfs/Website%20Assets/Logo%20Assets/logo-text.svg)](https://support.aetrust.com/?hsLang=en) Open main navigation Close main navigation - English Show submenu for translations - [More support](https://support.aetrust.com/kb-tickets/new) - [Customer portal](https://cs.aetrust.com/tickets-view) - [Contact us](https://aetrust.com/contact) [Contact us](https://aetrust.com/contact) How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Help Center](https://support.aetrust.com/?hsLang=en) 2. [Investor Portal](https://support.aetrust.com/investor-portal?hsLang=en) 3. [Investment Questions](https://support.aetrust.com/investor-portal?hsLang=en#investment-questions) # What types of investments can I hold in my AET SDIRA? A **Self-Directed IRA (SDIRA) at American Estate & Trust (AET)** allows account holders to invest in a wide variety of alternative assets beyond traditional stocks and bonds. As an SDIRA custodian, AET ensures compliance with IRS regulations but does not offer investment advice or recommend specific assets. This article outlines the investment options available within an AET SDIRA and the guidelines to keep in mind. ### **Allowed Investments in an AET SDIRA** ### **1. Real Estate** Real estate is one of the most popular investment choices for SDIRA account holders. ✅ **Allowed:** - Residential, commercial, and industrial properties - Raw land and farmland - Multi-family units - Real estate investment trusts (REITs) - Non-recourse financing for real estate purchases 🚫 **Not Allowed:** - Living in or personally using the property - Renting to a **disqualified person** (yourself, spouse, parents, children, etc.) - Performing repairs yourself ### **2. Private Equity & Private Stock** Investing in private businesses through an SDIRA offers growth opportunities outside the public stock market. ✅ **Allowed:** - Startups, venture capital, and private companies - Hedge funds and private stock purchases - Private placements and crowdfunding investments 🚫 **Not Allowed:** - Investing in a business where you or a **disqualified person** own 50% or more - Receiving a salary or direct compensation from an SDIRA-owned business ### **3. Private Lending (Promissory Notes & Mortgages)** SDIRA owners can act as private lenders, earning interest on secured or unsecured loans. ✅ **Allowed:** - Secured and unsecured promissory notes - Private mortgages and deed of trust investments - Peer-to-peer lending and structured financing 🚫 **Not Allowed:** - Lending to **disqualified persons** (yourself, spouse, children, parents, etc.) - Providing personal guarantees on IRA-backed loans ### **4. Precious Metals** AET allows investments in IRS-approved precious metals that meet fineness requirements. ✅ **Allowed:** - Gold, silver, platinum, and palladium bars or coins meeting IRS standards - Storage in an **approved depository** 🚫 **Not Allowed:** - Holding metals **personally** - Investing in **collectible or numismatic coins** ### **5. Cryptocurrency** AET allows direct cryptocurrency investments through an SDIRA. ✅ **Allowed:** - Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other digital currencies - Custodial storage through an approved **cryptocurrency platform** 🚫 **Not Allowed:** - Holding cryptocurrency in a **personal wallet** - Using crypto for personal transactions outside the SDIRA ### **6. Tax Liens & Tax Deeds** SDIRA holders can invest in tax liens or tax deeds, earning interest or acquiring properties. ✅ **Allowed:** - Tax lien certificates purchased at auctions - Tax deed investments for acquiring properties 🚫 **Not Allowed:** - Buying tax liens from **disqualified persons** - Using SDIRA-owned properties for personal benefit ### **7. Wholly-Owned LLCs ("Checkbook Control")** Some investors choose to establish an **IRA-owned LLC** for increased control over transactions. ✅ **Allowed:** - Setting up an **LLC owned entirely by the SDIRA** - Using an **LLC business account** for investing 🚫 **Not Allowed:** - Taking **personal distributions** directly from the LLC - Paying yourself a salary or receiving personal benefits from the LLC ### **Important Compliance Guidelines** To maintain tax-advantaged status, all investments in an AET SDIRA must comply with **IRS rules**: ✔ **No Self-Dealing:** The account holder cannot use SDIRA assets for personal benefit. ✔ **No Transactions with Disqualified Persons:** Avoid dealings with family members and related entities. ✔ **All Income & Expenses Must Flow Through the SDIRA:** All earnings, payments, and expenses must be handled by the SDIRA—not personal accounts. ### **Final Thoughts** AET SDIRAs offer a wide range of investment opportunities, allowing account holders to diversify their retirement portfolios. However, **understanding and following IRS rules** is essential to avoid prohibited transactions. If you’re unsure whether an investment is permitted, consult **AET or a tax professional** before proceeding. - [Investor Portal](https://support.aetrust.com/investor-portal?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Online Portal](https://support.aetrust.com/investor-portal?hsLang=en#online-portal) - [Transfer-ins and Rollovers](https://support.aetrust.com/investor-portal?hsLang=en#transfer-ins-and-rollovers) - [General Account Questions](https://support.aetrust.com/investor-portal?hsLang=en#general-account-questions) - [Tax Reporting and Compliance](https://support.aetrust.com/investor-portal?hsLang=en#tax-reporting-and-compliance) - [Signing Request](https://support.aetrust.com/investor-portal?hsLang=en#signing-request) - [Bill Pay](https://support.aetrust.com/investor-portal?hsLang=en#bill-pay) - [Prohibited Transactions and Compliance](https://support.aetrust.com/investor-portal?hsLang=en#prohibited-transactions-and-compliance) - [Fees and Payments](https://support.aetrust.com/investor-portal?hsLang=en#fees-and-payments) - [Investment Questions](https://support.aetrust.com/investor-portal?hsLang=en#investment-questions) - [Account Closure and Transfer-out](https://support.aetrust.com/investor-portal?hsLang=en#account-closure-and-transfer-out) - [Assets](https://support.aetrust.com/investor-portal?hsLang=en#assets) - [Business Portal](https://support.aetrust.com/business-portal?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Getting started](https://support.aetrust.com/business-portal?hsLang=en#getting-started) - [FAQ](https://support.aetrust.com/business-portal?hsLang=en#faq) - [Training](https://support.aetrust.com/business-portal?hsLang=en#training) - [Investments](https://support.aetrust.com/business-portal?hsLang=en#investments) [![American Estate & Trust](https://support.aetrust.com/hubfs/Website%20Assets/Logo%20Assets/logo-text.svg "American Estate & Trust")](https://aetrust.com) [mailto:support@aetrust.com](mailto:support@aetrust.com) Copyright © 2025, American Estate & Trust