The White House approves cryptocurrency inclusion in 401(k) plans, opening the door to the $10 trillion retirement market.

Gate News reports that the White House has completed regulatory review of a proposed rule by the Department of Labor aimed at modifying investment options in the U.S. $10 trillion 401(k) retirement plans, paving the way for cryptocurrencies to enter fixed contribution plans. If finalized, the rule will amend the guidelines for plan trustees under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), allowing plan sponsors to include digital assets such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and private equity as designated investment options.

This proposal originates from an executive order signed by President Donald Trump last year, which directed the Department of Labor to promote the use of alternative assets in participant-directed retirement plans. Additionally, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Treasury Department, and other federal agencies have been instructed to explore the feasibility of digital assets and other alternative investments within retirement plans. During the review process, the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) within the White House determined that the rule “has a significant economic impact,” triggering additional analysis under Executive Order 12866, applicable to regulations expected to have an annual economic impact exceeding $200 million or substantial economic effects.

Currently, the proposed rule has not set a final legal deadline, but its issuance would provide important policy support for the adoption of cryptocurrencies in the U.S. retirement market. Meanwhile, U.S. retirement savings have reached a record high. According to Fidelity Investments, the average balance in 401(k) accounts in Q3 2025 was $144,400, up 9% year-over-year, and the average IRA balance was $137,902, up 7%.

Industry analysts believe that if the rule is officially enacted, it will enable broader institutional investment channels for digital assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum, potentially attracting significant long-term capital inflows and driving upgrades in retirement plan management models. This regulatory development marks a gradual increase in the status of digital assets within the traditional financial system and could become a pivotal turning point for asset allocation in future retirement markets. (The Block)