Wall Street Shaken? Trump Pushes Crypto Into American Retirement Accounts

Edyme

July 18, 2025

While no decision is final unless announced by the president himself, the direction is to basically reduce regulatory hurdles

Retirement investing in the U.S. might be in for a shake-up.

President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing an executive order that would allow 401(k) plans to hold alternative assets such as cryptocurrency, precious metals like gold, and private equity, marking a potential shift in how everyday Americans manage their savings.

The move aims to expand options beyond the traditional mix of publicly traded stocks and bonds that have long defined retirement plans.

Crypto and alternatives may soon join retirement menus

According to sources familiar with the matter, Trump’s executive order would direct federal regulators to examine what needs to change in order to legally allow professionally managed 401(k) funds to include a broader array of assets.

These would range from digital currencies and infrastructure funds to private loans and takeover-focused investments. The White House, in a statement to the Financial Times, said Trump remains focused on economic reforms that enhance financial opportunities for Americans.

While no decision is final unless announced by the president himself, the direction is to basically reduce regulatory hurdles and bring crypto closer to mainstream finance.

This move follows earlier actions by the Trump administration, including the rollback of a Biden-era policy that discouraged crypto investments in retirement accounts.

A boost for wall street giants and the crypto sector

Private equity and asset management firms are eyeing this potential policy with interest. Firms like Blackstone, Apollo, and BlackRock, which have been pushing for broader access to retail retirement capital, stand to benefit if the 401(k) market opens up.

Some of these firms have already partnered with major 401(k) plan providers like Vanguard, Empower, and Great Gray Trust to prepare for a broader rollout of private market offerings.

On the crypto side, Trump’s approach has been consistent with a broader campaign theme of deregulation. He has publicly supported the industry and credited it for helping him secure victory in the 2024 election.

His family’s involvement has gone beyond rhetoric, too, Trump Media & Technology Group recently announced plans to purchase over $2 billion in digital assets and develop its own stablecoin.

If this executive order moves forward, it could usher in a new phase for both crypto and retirement investing, though not without debates around transparency, liquidity, and investor protection.