The key advantage of using an SDIRA is that you can invest in nontraditional (aka alternative) assets. Standard IRAs are generally limited to stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and certificates of deposit (CDs). By contrast, SDIRAs can hold numerous types of real estate (the most popular SDIRA asset), certain precious metals, tax liens, private mortgages, cryptocurrencies, private equity, partnerships, horses, livestock, and farmland. Custodians offer different investment options, so be sure that the assets you want are part of the custodian’s lineup.