Trump Administration Inches Closer to Opening 401(k)s to Crypto
The Labor Department has sent a proposed rule to the White House for review that would let 401(k) fiduciaries consider alternative assets, including cryptocurrency. The framework would not require plans to offer crypto; it would guide managers in assessing performance, fees, liquidity, valuation, benchmarks and complexity. The proposal follows a Trump executive order and an earlier DOL framework. US 401(k) plans held about $10.8 trillion in assets in June 2026, though a suggested $216 billion crypto allocation assumes 2% adoption and is speculative. Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren have raised concerns about volatility and risks to savers. White House review and final rulemaking remain pending, and adoption by plan providers is uncertain.
