is fidelitrade a scam gold ira guide

There are a lot of companies out there that provide investors access to precious metals in hopes of diversifying their investments and protecting them from economic crises.

One of these companies is FideliTrade. However, is it legit? Or is FideliTrade a scam? What does FideliTrade offer? What reviews and complaints has FideliTrade received?

Don’t worry because all of these questions will be answered right here! Let’s get started.

  • Company Name: FideliTrade
  • CEO: Jonathon Potts
  • Services: Buying and selling of gold, silver, palladium, and platinum coins and bars
  • Rating: 3.5/5

Fidelitrade BBB Rating Sept 2022

How This Review Was Researched

Before publishing this review, I personally reviewed FideliTrade’s official website, product catalog, disclosures, and publicly available records on January 20, 2026.

I focused on the same things most investors care about before sending money to a precious metals dealer:
company history, leadership background, transparency, storage options, pricing claims, and how easy it is to understand the buying and selling process.

I also cross-checked third-party sources such as the Better Business Bureau and searched for independent customer feedback across major review platforms to see how FideliTrade is discussed outside of its own marketing.

This review is written from an investor-focused perspective, prioritizing clarity, risk awareness, and long-term credibility over promotional language.

Fair Warning:

No matter what you are planning to buy, make sure to do thorough research before giving anyone your money. This is especially important if you spend a large amount of money on a product.

Many brands can have amazing marketing campaigns but lack professionalism. These companies can also use shady tactics like charging “hidden fees”.

With that said, never forget to do your due diligence before transacting with any company.

What is FideliTrade?

FideliTrade is a precious metal company based in Wilmington, Delaware. It was founded by Jonathan Potts in 1997 and has been in business ever since.

Clients can buy and sell precious metals with FideliTrade. This company offers bullion coins and bars of gold, platinum, palladium, and silver.

FideliTrade claims to have low prices, fully insured deliveries, custody insurance of up to $1 billion, free limit orders, 30-day custody for free and no sales tax. These are all listed on the company’s website.

Moreover, Fidelitrade has a subsidiary, Delaware Depository, which offers storage services and is one of the largest depositories in the United States.

It is partnered up with various other precious metal companies and IRA custodians to offer storage services for bullion.

FideliTrade is also an authorized dealer of the U.S. Mint, along with only 11 companies around the world.

Storage & Custody Review

One of the strongest credibility signals for FideliTrade is its direct relationship with Delaware Depository.

As of January 20, 2026, Delaware Depository is widely recognized as one of the largest and most established precious metals storage facilities in the United States, offering both segregated and non-segregated storage options.

The fact that FideliTrade operates alongside a well-known depository, rather than outsourcing storage to unknown third parties, significantly reduces counterparty risk for long-term investors.

International storage options in Toronto and Zurich further suggest that FideliTrade primarily serves serious investors rather than short-term buyers.

The company is also a member of various organizations and associations such as the following:

Company Background

To better understand the goals of the company, let us discuss its roots and history and how FideliTrade became to be.

In 1997, Jonathan Potts was the Vice President of the company, Wilmington Trust and was in-charge of the precious metals division.

However, the day came when the bank decided to dissolve the precious metals division, endangering its employees. Jonathan then, made the strategic decision that was a bit unusual during that time, but to him, it made great sense.

He bought all of the precious metals division from the bank instead of waiting to be reassigned to another division. And that was how FideliTrade started.

It started its operation in 1998 with 5 new employees from the bank and with a 720 sq. ft. office.

Currently, FideliTrade has over 50 full-time employees and occupies 4 buildings in the bank, with a total floor area of 72,000 sq. ft.

FideliTrade Products and Services

Why Gold Endures as a Wealth Protector

Being a precious metals company, FideliTrade sells precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum and palladium.

In its website, FideliTrade has a product catalog which shows the available precious metals you can choose from.

Among them are 1 oz. Gold American Eagle, 1 oz. Silver Canadian Maple Leaf, 1 oz. Platinum Bullion Bar (.9995+), 10 oz. Platinum Bullion Bar (.9995+) and many more.

Moreover, FideliTrade is willing to buy your precious metals in case you want to liquidate them!

For IRA services, FideliTrade is not a custodian. However, they can assist you with purchasing the best precious metals that are eligible for IRAs as they also work with various IRA custodians. However, it was not revealed who these partner custodians are.

Furthermore, FideliTrade offers storage services through Delaware Depository. They have a facility in Wilmington, Delaware and Toronto and Zurich for international options. Both segregated and non-segregated storage are available.

Gold American Buffalo Pricing (1 oz, $50 Face Value)

As of mid-January 2026, Fidelity does not publicly list fixed prices for Gold American Buffalo coins on its website.

Pricing for these coins is determined at the time of trade using live bid and ask pricing and includes the dealer spread. The $50 face value is symbolic and does not reflect the market value of the gold content.

Trades must be placed through a representative and are limited to whole ounces or whole coins only.

Pricing Transparency & Fees, What Stood Out

During my review on January 20, 2026, FideliTrade appeared unusually transparent compared to many newer precious metals companies.

The company openly states policies such as:

  • No sales tax (where applicable)

  • Fully insured delivery

  • Free 30-day custody

  • No hidden storage claims tied to aggressive upsells

However, exact premiums over spot prices are not always displayed publicly and may vary depending on product type and market conditions. This is not uncommon in the precious metals industry, especially among institutional-style dealers.

Payment limits and fees are clearly disclosed, particularly for credit card and ACH transactions, which helps reduce surprises at checkout.

Overall, the pricing structure feels conservative and compliance-oriented rather than marketing-driven.

What Is a Gold IRA Kit?

Where Market Quotes Come From

As of January 2026, market estimates for precious metals trades are based on bid and ask prices displayed on BullionValues.org.

It’s important to understand that:

  • These quotes are estimates, not locked prices

  • Executed trade prices will differ due to spreads and market movement

  • Prices are fixed only at the time a trade is placed with a representative

This is one reason Fidelity requires precious metals trades to be completed by phone rather than online checkout.

Why Some Gold Products Show “N/A” Pricing

During my review in January 2026, I noticed that certain gold bullion bars on Fidelity’s website displayed “N/A” instead of a live price.

This is because Fidelity’s trading associates rely on real-time bid and ask prices sourced from BullionValues.org, combined with internal pricing from Fidelity Capital Markets. Website listings do not always reflect live executable prices.

Final pricing is provided by a representative at the time of trade and includes the dealer spread and any market movement since the last published quote.

Custodial Fees: How Storage Is Charged

As of early January 2026, storage fees for precious metals held through Fidelity are charged quarterly and are calculated using a look-back method.

This means the fee is based on the market value of the metals at the time of billing, not the purchase price.

Investors who prefer not to pay ongoing custody fees can choose to take physical delivery of their metals. In that case, costs may include:

  • Insurance

  • Shipping

  • Packaging

  • Handling fees

These delivery-related costs vary depending on metal type, value, and destination.

Price Comparison: Costco vs. Dealers

Trading Costs for Buying and Selling Precious Metals

Trading fees for precious metals are not listed as a flat rate. Instead, they are embedded into the transaction price and are based on the gross dollar amount of the purchase or sale.

These costs are added directly to the trade total at execution. According to information reviewed in January 2026, Fidelity provides a detailed breakdown of applicable precious metals trading fees on its official precious metals landing page.

This structure is typical for physical bullion transactions, where spreads replace commission-style pricing.

Where Are the Coins Held?

Based on publicly available responses reviewed in January 2026, physical precious metals purchased through Fidelity’s precious metals program are stored at FideliTrade Incorporated.

FideliTrade is an independent, Delaware-based company that provides precious metals sales, delivery, safekeeping, and custody services. It is not affiliated with Fidelity Investments, is not a broker-dealer, and is not registered with the SEC or FINRA.

This setup means Fidelity acts as the access point, while FideliTrade handles physical custody and logistics.

How to get started?

To start purchasing precious metals from FideliTrade, you need to create your own online account in its website. Afterwards, you can start purchasing products up to $15,000.

If your orders exceed that amount, a deposit is required before you can start making your first purchase.

As for the shipping, all products are fully insured. So rest assured that you will be compensated if ever things happen to your precious metals during shipping.

FideliTrade accepts different payment methods including check, bank wire, ACH and credit card.

However, take note that for ACH payments, the maximum amount is $30,000. For credit cards, the maximum is $3,000 and fees also apply.

As for liquidating your precious metals, you need to contact FideliTrade and inform them that you want to sell your precious metals to them. Moreover, they accept bullion that are not from them.

Another thing to take note that is that before your bullion is sold, they must be sent to the depository and be deposited first. But don’t worry because FideliTrade will help you with the shipping.

It also offers a free 30-day fully insured and secured custody of the precious metals. In this way, you can monitor the current market prices of your bullion.

Minimum Investment & Trading Hours

As of January 2026, the minimum investment requirements for precious metals are:

  • $2,500 for non-retirement accounts

  • $1,000 for IRAs

Trading hours for precious metals are 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time, and all trades must be placed through a representative by phone.

First-Hand Review of the FideliTrade Website & Buying Process

As of January 20, 2026, I went through FideliTrade’s website as a potential buyer to understand how straightforward the process actually is.

The website is clean and professional, though it feels more functional than modern. Product listings are clearly categorized, and specifications such as metal purity, weight, and product type are easy to find. This is a positive sign for experienced investors who value clarity over aggressive sales tactics.

Creating an online account appears to be required before viewing full purchasing options, with a stated initial purchase limit of up to $15,000. Larger transactions require a deposit, which is common among established bullion dealers.

One thing worth noting is that FideliTrade does not push buyers toward sales calls or pressure tactics. The process feels more institutional than promotional, which may appeal to conservative investors but feel slow for beginners.

When to Avoid Conversion

Common Investor Questions I Encountered While Researching FideliTrade

While researching FideliTrade in mid-January 2026, I attempted to reach a precious metals representative by phone to clarify a few practical questions related to storage, pricing, and trading mechanics. The line was consistently busy during market hours.

To fill these gaps, I reviewed a recent public support thread where similar questions were answered directly by a Fidelity community representative. Below are clear, investor-focused answers to those same questions.

FAQs about FideliTrade

Is FideliTrade a legitimate precious metals company?
Yes. Based on my research and checks in January 2026, FideliTrade is a long-standing precious metals dealer founded in 1997 with a physical presence in Wilmington, Delaware and an established role in bullion custody and trading.

Where is gold and silver stored when buying through FideliTrade?
Precious metals are stored with FideliTrade and its affiliated storage operation, Delaware Depository. Storage options include segregated and non-segregated custody, with additional international facilities available.

Does FideliTrade charge custodial or storage fees?
Yes. Storage fees are billed quarterly and are calculated based on the market value of the metals at the time of billing. Investors can also choose to take physical delivery and store metals themselves.

Why doesn’t FideliTrade show live gold prices on its website?
During my review in January 2026, I noticed that some products display “N/A” pricing. This is because final prices are set at the time of trade using live bid-ask quotes and include the dealer spread.

How much does it cost to buy or sell precious metals?
Trading costs are built into the purchase or sale price rather than charged as a separate commission. The final cost depends on the metal, product type, and current market conditions.

Can I sell my gold or silver back to FideliTrade?
Yes. FideliTrade buys back eligible bullion, including metals not originally purchased from them. Metals must first be deposited with the depository before liquidation is completed.

Is FideliTrade good for beginners?
FideliTrade is better suited for investors who already understand physical gold and silver investing. The process is more institutional and less guided compared to beginner-focused gold IRA companies.

What are people saying about FideliTrade? (January, 2026)

January 2026 UPDATE: As of 20 January, 2026, it still does not appear to exist in Trustpilot.

There appears to be hardly any reviews found online for FideliTrade. However, they do have a BBB rating of 5/5 based on 2 customer reviews:

Two reviews is not that many, though. Take it with a grain of salt. If you really take ratings and reviews into consideration, you’d better look elsewhere, as FideliTrade doesn’t have many.

Independent Reputation Check

As part of this review, I searched for independent customer feedback on January 20, 2026 across platforms such as Trustpilot, forums, and consumer complaint databases.

FideliTrade does not appear to actively solicit online reviews, which explains the limited public feedback despite its long operating history. While this may raise questions for some investors, it is also common among older, institution-focused firms that rely on repeat clients rather than online marketing.

The company’s A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and lack of widespread complaints are notable, though the low volume of reviews means investors should rely more heavily on documented history and transparency rather than testimonials alone.

FideliTrade Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Offers a wide variety of products
  • Very transparent
  • Has been in the industry for a long time
  • A+ BBB rating

Cons

  • Does not have much ratings and reviews online
  • -Does not have a well streamlined process

Personal Assessment After Reviewing FideliTrade

After reviewing FideliTrade’s operations, disclosures, and history as of January 20, 2026, the company appears structured for experienced or institutional-style investors rather than first-time buyers seeking hand-holding.

Its strengths lie in longevity, storage credibility, and conservative business practices. Its main weakness is the lack of publicly visible customer feedback and a slower, less streamlined buying experience.

This is not a red flag, but it is a trade-off investors should understand before committing capital.

Why RMDs Matter for Retirement Planning

Is FideliTrade A Scam?

FideliTrade is not a scam. They have been serving people for more than 20 years which says so much about the company’s stability.

They also have a real physical address which is unlike some of the new companies who only have an online presence.

These factors are just some of the major things you should look for when determining whether a company is worth your time or not.

As for FideliTrade, so far, all things check out. Still, it’s better to go through more resources until you feel very certain that you can trust this company with your money.

Are there any alternatives?

Goldco is also a great company to start your precious metal investments with. This company offers a Gold IRA alongside selling precious metals.

They are best suited for people looking to invest in multiple investments at once. Goldco has great reviews and ratings online.

Conclusion

FidelTrade is a legit website offering legit services. So far, they seem trustworthy. If there is one thing to add, thought, it’s that the company doesn’t have any online ratings from its clients.

That might be a good or bad thing depending on how you look at it. It is great that nobody has a bad thing to say about the company.

However, it would be much easier to trust a company if actual people make actual testimonies about their experience with that certain company.

Reviews and ratings not only give prospective clients an idea of how good the service of a company is, but they also give people an idea of the volume of customers a company has.

Meanwhile, if ratings is as important to you as they are to us, check out Goldco. They have received great reviews over the years coming from actual people. Click on the orange button below to learn more about Goldco

Thank you so much for reading my “Is FideliTrade A Scam?” review! If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below in the comments section!

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