Who Is Orion Metal Exchange?
Orion Metal Exchange is a Los Angeles-based precious metals dealer founded in 2017. Despite being relatively young, they've grown rapidly and achieved something unusual in this industry: Wikipedia notability. Having a Wikipedia page indicates independent third-party coverage and verification—a level of legitimacy many competitors lack.
The company has positioned itself as a direct beneficiary of the industry consolidation happening in 2024-2025. As competitors like Regal Assets and Gold Alliance have collapsed amid fraud allegations and operational failures, Orion has captured market share by emphasizing transparency and consumer-friendly fee structures.
The "No-Fee" Model Explained
Orion Metal Exchange markets a "no-fee" IRA structure. Here's what that actually means:
How "No-Fee" Works
- No Setup Fee: $0
- No Annual Maintenance Fee: Waived
- No Storage Fee: Covered by Orion
The Trade-Off: These costs are typically built into the product spread (the difference between buy and sell prices). This isn't deceptive—it's a different pricing model. For investors who hate recurring fees, it's simpler. For those who obsess over spread percentages, traditional pricing might be more transparent.
For many investors, especially those with smaller accounts, consolidated pricing eliminates the frustration of watching annual fees erode small holdings. Whether Orion's total cost is better depends on comparison shopping—always get quotes and compare to competitors.
Reputation & Consumer Trust
| Platform | Rating | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| Better Business Bureau | A+ | Accredited |
| Trustpilot | 4.9★ (Excellent) | 217 reviews |
| ConsumerAffairs | 5.0★ | Top rated |
Orion's consumer ratings are excellent across platforms. The A+ BBB rating with relatively low complaint volume suggests they're operating cleanly in a sector where many competitors have regulatory baggage.
Products & Services
Metals Available:
- ✅ Gold (coins and bars)
- ✅ Silver (coins and bars)
- ✅ Platinum
- ✅ Palladium
All four IRA-eligible precious metals are available.
Account Types:
- Traditional IRA
- Roth IRA
- SEP IRA
- 401(k) Rollover
- 403(b) Rollover
- TSP Rollover
The Accessibility Advantage
With a $5,000 minimum, Orion Metal Exchange ties Advantage Gold for the lowest entry point among major Gold IRA providers. Compare this to:
- Augusta Precious Metals: $50,000
- Patriot Gold Group: $50,000
- Goldco: $25,000
- Noble Gold: $20,000
For first-time precious metals investors or those with smaller retirement accounts, Orion removes the primary barrier to entry.