governmentTexas Bullion Depository is now offering gold IRAs

August 2025 | By Brynne Harder

The Texas Bullion Depository (TxBD), through its private sector partnership with Lone Star Tangible Assets (LSTA) and in collaboration with Equity Trust Company, has announced it is ready to hold precious metal Individual Retirement Account (IRA) assets. With this news, individuals have a secure, state-administered option for storing their retirement investments.

“We are excited to offer this new service … With our state-of-the-art security measures and commitment to excellence, we provide peace of mind to those looking to protect their wealth for the future,” said Christopher Speltz, CEO at LSTA, the company contracted by the Comptroller’s office to operate TxBD.

Consumers wanting to store IRA investments with TxBD should consult their gold dealer and Equity Trust Company to coordinate delivery and storage.

That’s not all there is to Texas’ bullion depository. Here are four other facts you (maybe) didn’t know.

1. There is truly nothing else like it in the country.

Established in 2015, Texas is proud to have the only state-run bullion depository. This endeavor eliminates the financial and operational risks associated with for-profit private depositories and provides a higher standard in precious metals storage. The Comptroller’s office provides management oversight and conducts regular audits that, when combined with the industry experience from LSTA, offers a first-in-class experience.

While Texas might be behind this venture, you don’t have to be a Texan to take advantage of its services. U.S. citizens and residents, including business entities, can open an account with TxBD.

2. TxBD just keeps growing.

Since accepting its first deposit in 2018, TxBD has consistently been an attractive option for precious metals storage. In 2021, there were nearly 1,000 account holders with a deposit and more than 1,700 in 2025. The total value of deposits has also increased. As of June 2025, the total value of deposits had surpassed $400 million, an increase of 183 percent from 2021.

“It’s been inspiring to experience the maturation of the program from its inception to full development. We are proud of the Depository’s continued growth and success,” said Macy Douglas, administrator at TxBD and director of Treasury Operations at the Comptroller’s office. “It is evident from the substantial growth that customers are confident in the safety and security provided by a state-administered depository.”

3 It’s located at the center of Texas.

TxBD is located within a purpose-built facility about 30 miles north of Austin. It was built on a 10-acre lot, which allows the building to maintain a security perimeter not usually available to depositories near large metropolitan areas. Further, the facility has a highest-rated Class III vault specifically allocated for gold holdings and on-site security personnel.

A Texas ZIP code can also save some investors money. If you buy and store precious metals in Texas, you won’t pay sales tax on the purchase.

4. All that glitters isn’t always gold.

It might be silver, platinum or palladium. So, while gold gets a lot of attention, as a precious metals depository, TxBD accepts all four metals for deposit. That applies to both regular accounts and IRA storage.