On August 7, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order expanding 401(k) investment options to include cryptocurrencies and private market assets.
Significant Changes in U.S. Retirement Portfolios
The order could reshape financial landscapes by integrating alternative assets into retirement portfolios. Industry leaders like Empower and supporting organizations are preparing to accommodate new asset classes, potentially affecting millions of U.S. retirees.
Inclusion of Cryptocurrencies in 401(k) Follows Recent Initiatives
Similar initiatives include 2020 Department of Labor guidance allowing private equity in retirement plans. The current order extends these options to cryptocurrencies, potentially transforming the retirement landscape and expanding asset diversity in 401(k)s.
Perspective of the American Retirement Association
"Professional retirement plan fiduciaries that are subject to strict fiduciary standards—not the federal government—are in the best position to assess developments in the financial markets and determine what is in the financial best interest of retirement plan participants and beneficiaries." — Brian Graff, CEO, American Retirement Association
The signed order may significantly impact the U.S. retirement market, opening access to new investment opportunities and cryptocurrencies in retirement plans.
