U.S. rule change may open trillions in 401(k) funds to crypto
The Labor Department on Monday proposed a rule following an executive order from President Donald Trump that directed regulators to expand access to digital assets in retirement portfolios.
What to know:
- The U.S. Department of Labor has proposed a rule, prompted by an August executive order from President Donald Trump, that would make it easier for 401(k) plans to include alternative assets such as cryptocurrencies, private equity and real estate.
- If adopted, the rule would mark a shift from traditional stock-and-bond-focused 401(k)s by allowing plan providers to add a broader mix of assets, including digital tokens and private-market funds.
- Supporters say the change could improve diversification and reflect how people already invest outside retirement accounts, while critics like Senator Elizabeth Warren warn it could expose workers to higher risks, fees and potential losses.
The U.S. Department of Labor has proposed a rule that would make it easier for 401(k) plans to include alternative assets such as cryptocurrencies, private equity and real estate.
The proposal is in response to President Donald Trump’s executive order, released in August, which directed the Labor Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission to facilitate expanded access to alternative assets in 401(k)s.
“This proposed rule will show how plans can consider products that better reflect the investment landscape as it exists today,” Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer said in a statement.
If adopted, the rule would mark a shift in how retirement plans are built. For years, most 401(k)s have focused on stocks and bonds. The new approach would allow plan providers to add a broader mix of assets, including digital tokens and private-market funds that are not traded on public exchanges.
The move builds on earlier changes. Last May, the Labor Department rescinded prior guidance that urged fiduciaries to exercise “extreme care” before adding crypto to retirement plans. Trump’s executive order went further, calling for digital assets to be treated on par with other investment options.
