U.S. President Donald Trump is preparing to sign an executive order that will allow the inclusion of crypto assets, as well as other alternative investments, in 401(k) retirement savings plans. This move could significantly change the structure of retirement investments in the United States.
This is reported by Finway
New Opportunities for Investors
It is expected that retirement funds will have the option to invest not only in stocks and bonds but also in real estate, private equity, and cryptocurrencies. The executive order includes a directive for the Department of Labor to review existing guidelines regarding alternative investments in retirement plans. Additionally, Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, the Treasury Department, and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) are to explore whether additional legislative changes are needed to support such investments.
Previous Experience and Market Impact
During Trump’s first term, attempts were made to expand the list of available assets for retirement plans, including the inclusion of private equity. However, these innovations were reversed during Joe Biden’s presidency. Traditionally, pension plan managers prefer investments in large companies due to their low risk and volatility. The size of this market is estimated at $12.5 trillion, and the new executive order could unlock significant liquidity reserves for alternative investments.
“This entails the possibility of investing funds from retirement accounts into real estate, private equity, and crypto assets.”
Fidelity Investments became the first company in the U.S. to propose the inclusion of crypto assets in retirement programs back in 2022. However, this initiative faced criticism from regulators. In 2025, Fidelity introduced a fully cryptocurrency individual retirement account (IRA), allowing investments in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin. The changes proposed by Trump could create new opportunities for retirees and investors interested in digital assets.