Donald Trump is getting ready to sign an executive order that would expand what Americans can hold in their 401(k)s. The plan is to let investors include crypto like Bitcoin and Ethereum, physical gold, and private market assets such as private equity or hedge funds in their retirement accounts. Right now, most plans only offer mutual funds, index funds, and ETFs. This move would give people more flexibility with what they invest in for retirement.
What’s Changing and Why It Matters
The order will direct the Labor Department and the SEC to update the rules that govern how retirement accounts are managed. Trump’s team wants to make it easier for financial firms to offer alternative assets inside retirement plans. This includes removing past restrictions that discouraged employers from offering crypto.
Breaking: Trump plans to sign an executive order that allows 401k retirement plans to invest in crypto pic.twitter.com/LUFalZduvP
— Crypto Tea (@CryptoTea_) July 17, 2025
The Biden administration had taken a more cautious stance, warning that digital assets might be too risky for retirement savings.
There’s a lot of money at stake here. Americans have around $9 trillion in 401(k)s, and roughly $12 trillion across all defined contribution plans. That’s a huge pool of capital. Investment firms like BlackRock and Vanguard have already started working with private equity managers. They’ve been waiting for this kind of green light to bring in new products that offer different types of returns than stocks and bonds.
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Crypto in Retirement Accounts?
Trump’s support for crypto has been loud and consistent. He’s praised Bitcoin, attended crypto events, and supported digital assets during his campaign. The order follows his earlier decision to scrap a warning issued by the Biden administration, which had urged companies to stay away from crypto in retirement plans.
Now, this new push could help turn that guidance around completely.
The idea is simple: let Americans choose. If they want to hold crypto in a tax-advantaged account like a 401(k), they should be able to do it.
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The Risks Are Real
Of course, this won’t happen overnight. Even if the executive order lands this week, most firms won’t rush into offering crypto or private equity right away. Big players will wait for regulators to issue detailed rules and legal protections. If anything goes wrong, retirement plan providers don’t want to be left holding the bag.
Advisors are already raising concerns. Crypto is volatile. Private equity isn’t easy to sell quickly. These aren’t exactly the safest options for retirement savings, which are meant to be stable and long-term. Experts say the average investor should still be careful and not go overboard.
What Comes Next
This order will likely kick off a new phase of debate. Lawmakers and financial professionals will want to weigh in. Some will love the idea of more freedom in retirement investing. Others will warn that it opens the door to unnecessary risk.
For now, all eyes are on Washington. If Trump signs the order and regulators follow through, retirement plans could look very different soon. Whether that’s a good thing will depend on how well these new options are rolled out and whether they can actually help people build a safer future.
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Key Takeaways
- Trump is preparing an executive order to let Americans hold crypto, gold, and private assets in 401(k) retirement accounts.
- The order would push the Labor Department and SEC to rewrite rules that have kept alternative assets out of most retirement plans.
- Asset managers could soon offer new investment options, as investors currently hold more than $9 trillion in 401(k) accounts.
- Trump’s plan signals a clear break from the Biden administration’s cautious stance on crypto in retirement accounts.
- Financial advisors say the proposal adds flexibility, but assets like crypto and private equity come with higher risks for long-term savers.
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