Trump Looks to Open 401(k) and IRA Retirement Plans to Crypto and Alternative Assets
President Donald Trump is preparing to expand access to cryptocurrencies, gold, private equity, and other alternative assets within U.S. retirement accounts—an ambitious move that could reshape how Americans invest for the future.
According to the Financial Times, Trump is expected to sign an executive order as early as this week that would direct federal agencies to review and remove current barriers preventing 401(k) and IRA plans from investing in non-traditional assets. If implemented, the order could give millions of retirement savers exposure to digital assets and private markets for the first time.
“The President is focused on restoring economic prosperity for working Americans and protecting their financial futures,” a White House spokesperson told the Financial Times, while noting that no decision is final until confirmed by Trump himself.
The move builds on Trump’s campaign promises to “free crypto” from what he has described as overly burdensome regulations. His administration already rolled back a Biden-era Department of Labor guidance that warned against crypto exposure in retirement accounts. This new initiative would go further—potentially allowing retirement investors to hold assets such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, infrastructure funds, private equity stakes, and precious metals like gold within their 401(k)s or IRAs.
Winners Could Include Major Asset Managers
The proposal is expected to benefit large financial firms like Blackstone, Apollo, and BlackRock, which have pushed for greater access to the $9 trillion U.S. retirement market. These firms are already in talks with major plan providers such as Vanguard and Empower to expand alternative asset offerings.
The timing coincides with growing momentum in Washington for crypto regulation. On July 17, the U.S. House passed three key bills aimed at providing clarity in the digital asset space. The CLARITY Act outlines how crypto assets should be classified as either securities or commodities, while the GENIUS Act—already passed by the Senate—sets rules for stablecoins. Meanwhile, the Anti-CBDC Act would bar the Federal Reserve from launching a digital dollar without Congressional approval.
If enacted, Trump’s executive order could accelerate the mainstream adoption of cryptocurrencies and other alternatives in retirement portfolios—changing the investment landscape for millions of Americans.
Featured image from: bitcoinmagazine.com