Millions of American Retirees Just Got Access to Crypto in Their 401(k)s
A new US Department of Labor rule proposes easing barriers for 401(k) plans to include alternative assets like crypto.Summary
The US Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration issued a proposed rule that would significantly broaden the investment options available in 401(k) plans beyond traditional stocks and bonds to include alternative assets such as cryptocurrencies, private equity, and real estate. This proposal follows an August 2025 executive order from President Donald Trump, which aimed to democratize access to these assets to potentially improve returns and diversify retirement portfolios. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the rule as a safe and smart first step, while US Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer stated that this greater diversity will drive innovation and benefit American workers. The proposal arrives amid market strains, with crypto showing resilience despite geopolitical tensions, while the private credit market faces stress leading to redemption caps at major firms like BlackRock and Apollo.
(Source：BeInCrypto)