A Platinum IRA allows you to hold physical platinum in your retirement account while maintaining the same tax advantages as traditional IRAs. With platinum's critical role in automotive, hydrogen fuel cells, and emerging green technologies, millions of Americans are discovering why Platinum IRAs provide unique growth potential and portfolio diversification.
Unlike traditional IRAs filled with volatile stocks and bonds, a Platinum IRA gives you ownership of physical platinum stored in secure, IRS-approved depositories. This means your retirement savings are backed by the world's rarest precious metal with massive industrial demand that continues growing as the world transitions to clean energy.
"Globally, up to$10 billion in assets is already invested in platinum. Studies suggest that platinum is both an effective diversifier of risk alongside other investments and a long-term store of value." - World Platinum Investment Council
While gold and silver are well-known precious metal with universal appeal and high demand, platinum is one of the rarest and most exciting precious metals investments.
Platinum’s metallic and electrical properties make it highly desirable in commercial and industrial applications. The metal’s beautiful aesthetic and rarity also makes it a coveted addition to investment coin collections, as well as greatly prized in fine jewelry.
Platinum is an extremely rare white metal. However, its scarcity is only part of the reason why it is so valuable. Platinum is also one of the most stable elements in nature. It has a high resistance against corrosion, a high density, and a high boiling point, but remains malleable and ductile, making it quite unique.
Interest in platinum has been steadily increasing over the years, indicating a growing demand, while supplies are still relatively limited. In fact, platinum is much more rare and in less supply than gold and silver, which makes is a highly sought after investment.
Platinum is perhaps best known for its use in catalytic converters in vehicles. Platinum helps decrease harmful emissions and has been used in catalytic converters since as early as the 1950s but started gaining widespread use after the EPA implemented emissions standards in 1975.
Ancient Egyptians started using platinum in jewelry and decorative objects roughly 3,000 years ago. It is one of the finest white metals available; it is hypoallergenic, boasts a high strength, does not oxidize like silver, and does not need to be refinished yearly like white gold.
Modern weapons require modern materials. Platinum is a key material for American defense and is used in the production of missiles, jet engines, and a vast array of military electronics. Platinum is so rare and valuable to national defense that during World War 2, the US government banned its use in jewelry, deeming it a “strategic metal”.
Hydrogen-powered fuel cells, space telescopes, bulk chemical production, and petroleum refining. Fiber optic cables, thermocouples, and computer hard drives. Platinum is used in them all. Platinum-based drugs have been developed to treat cancers and platinum is the only metal suitable for the electrodes required in heart pacemakers. Platinum is a metal of the future.
Historically, platinum has always been much scarcer than gold, with many sources reporting only 200-250 tons of platinum are mined every year, while roughly 3000 tons of gold are mined every year.
Furthermore, as platinum is more dependent on industry demand, we see that the price of platinum has reached up to 2.25x the price of gold during economic booms. Today, however, the price of platinum is just about half the price of gold, making our financial experts believe this is the perfect time to invest because it's clearly underpriced in the market.
Another way to look at is this: A platinum ring can cost 2-5x the amount of a gold ring, but the raw material is half the price! How long can that last?
According to Reuters, the average global cost to mine and produce one ounce of platinum is $1110, which is barely under today's spot price. Gold has a similar cost of mining at $1200, but gold trades at over $3000! With these figures in mind, it's not surprising that during an interview with Bloomberg, the CEO of the world’s No. 1 platinum miner predicted the price of platinum will increase to $2000 an ounce in the near future.
South Africa controls 70-80% of global platinum production, yet their largest producer, the Impala mine, faces production costs exceeding $1,300 per ounce. This creates an unsustainable economic model where mining costs surpass market prices. This fundamental imbalance has already forced mine closures, resulting in a 20% supply deficit that threatens the stability of global platinum markets.
The current pricing structure defies basic economics: platinum would need to rise nearly 30% just to reach break-even levels for South Africa's largest mines. This unsustainable gap between production costs and market prices cannot persist indefinitely. Either mining operations must shut down or prices must rise to reflect true production economics.
With supply already contracting due to mine closures and production costs remaining elevated, even stable demand creates upward price pressure through fundamental supply-demand dynamics. As the supply deficit widens and production becomes increasingly uneconomical at current prices, market forces suggest platinum prices must eventually align with the true cost of bringing this critical metal to market.
Nearly half of platinum consumption comes from automotive catalytic converters. While the US has required these since 1975, China (with 1.5 billion people and the world's largest auto market) only recently enacted strict emission standards in 2020-2021. Chinese citizens bought over 31 million vehicles in 2024, all requiring platinum-based catalytic converters.
Beyond automotive demand, platinum plays a crucial role in the emerging hydrogen economy through fuel cells and "green hydrogen" production via electrolysis. The EU's hydrogen strategy has set ambitious targets of 40 GW of renewable hydrogen electrolyzers by 2030, with hydrogen positioned as the future of global green energy.
This surge in demand from China's emission standards and global hydrogen initiatives has driven platinum prices higher since 2020, yet experts believe current levels remain undervalued. As Forbes noted, "In a few years time we might expect it will look obvious that platinum was 'too cheap,'" suggesting significant upside potential as demand grows. And future government-sponsored hydrogen economy initiatives are expected to only add to platinum investment demand momentum.
Our dedicated National Gold Group account representative will walk you through the simple Platinum IRA application. It takes about 5 minutes to complete using our online application. Once done, our in-house IRA department will process the rollover or transfer and have your new self-directed Platinum IRA account completely set up within 24 hours!
One of the most common ways our clients fund their new Platinum IRAs is through a rollover or transfer of funds from an existing retirement account. Our full-service IRA department does all the heavy lifting and quickly completes a rollover/transfer call with your existing custodian.
Once your Platinum IRA is funded, you can start filling it with IRS-approved platinum coins and bars. Your account representative will help walk you through your options of American Platinum Eagles, platinum bars, and other approved products. After you decide, we take care of everything else!
Ready to get started? With National Gold Group's experienced account managers, one-stop IRA Department, transparent pricing, and timely service, you'll have the advantage of working with America's most trusted Platinum IRA company.
The IRS requires all Platinum IRA investments meet specific purity standards of .9995 fine (99.95% pure) or higher to ensure investor protection and maintain tax-advantaged status. Only certain platinum products qualify for retirement account inclusion.
Note: Platinum coin options are more limited than gold or silver due to fewer government mints producing investment-grade platinum coins.
Working with experienced Platinum IRA specialists ensures your platinum selections remain IRS-compliant and helps avoid costly mistakes that could jeopardize your retirement savings. Platinum's limited coin options make professional guidance especially important.
Platinum IRAs provide the same tax advantages as traditional retirement accounts while offering the added benefit of physical platinum ownership. Understanding these tax implications helps you maximize your retirement savings strategy.
Important: Platinum IRA distributions are taxed as ordinary income, not capital gains. Platinum is classified as a collectible by the IRS, but when held in an IRA, it receives standard retirement account tax treatment.
IRS regulations require all Platinum IRA metals be stored in approved depositories to maintain tax-advantaged status. You cannot store Platinum IRA metals at home, in personal safes, or safe deposit boxes without triggering immediate taxation and penalties.
Your Platinum IRA must be stored in one of these IRS-approved facilities:
All facilities feature 24/7 security, climate control, and comprehensive insurance coverage protecting your platinum investment.
Both options are fully IRS-compliant and insured against theft, damage, and loss. Many Platinum IRA investors choose segregated storage due to platinum's high per-ounce value.
Storing Platinum IRA metals at home triggers immediate consequences:
Professional storage ensures IRS compliance and protects your retirement investment while avoiding collectible tax treatment.
Professional security personnel on-site around the clock
State-of-the-art camera systems and motion detection
Full coverage against theft, damage, and natural disasters
Independent third-party audits ensure inventory accuracy
As a trusted leader in the precious metals market, the National Gold Group team has helped thousands of clients start a Platinum IRA. We make the process simple and transparent. Contact us today to get started.