Donald Trump Plans to Allow Americans to Invest in Crypto Through Retirement Accounts

Highlights:

• Donald Trump may allow crypto, gold, and private equity in 401(k) retirement plans.
• An executive order could benefit firms like BlackRock, Blackstone, and Apollo significantly.
• Trump supports House-approved crypto bills to boost digital finance and reduce regulations nationwide.

President Donald Trump is reportedly planning to expand retirement investment options through a new executive order, as per the Financial Times, citing three sources familiar with the matter. A 401(k) plan is a retirement savings account in the United States where employees invest a portion of their salary, usually in stocks or bonds, to use after retirement. Currently, most 401(k) plans are limited to traditional investments like bonds and stocks. If the order is implemented, regulators would need to review and address existing rules that prevent these alternative assets from being included. 

Advertisement

As per the report, the order is expected to be signed this week. As of last September, the 401(k) market managed around $8.9 trillion across over 715,000 individual plans.

The report stated:

“Donald Trump is preparing to open the $9tn US retirement market to cryptocurrency investments, gold, and private equity in a move that would spur a radical shift in the way Americans’ savings are managed.”

The White House told the Financial Times that President Trump wants to bring back prosperity for everyday Americans and protect their financial future. At the same time, it made clear that no policy decision should be viewed as final unless the president personally announces it. 

FT Exclusive: The US president is expected to sign an executive order that would open up 401k plans to alternative investments beyond traditional stocks and bonds, according to people briefed on Trump's plans. https://t.co/M4RCM0Vq7t pic.twitter.com/mY3w0ZiHyG

— Financial Times (@FT) July 17, 2025

According to the Financial Times, the executive order may prove helpful for large private investment firms like Blackstone, Apollo, and BlackRock. These firms are relying heavily on managing retirement funds as a key part of their future growth plans.

U.S. States Embrace Cryptocurrencies in Their Investment Portfolios

Some U.S. states have already added digital assets to their retirement plans or are planning to do so. In March, lawmakers in North Carolina proposed two bills to invest up to 5% of certain retirement funds in crypto. Last year, Michigan’s retirement system shared that it held about $6.6 million in a Bitcoin ETF and $10 million in an Ethereum ETF. Wisconsin’s investment board also revealed it owns $163 million worth of spot Bitcoin ETF investments.

Trump Backs Major Crypto Push as House Passes Key Bills

Donald Trump’s latest step continues his push to make crypto rules easier. Earlier, his administration worked to relax restrictions on Bitcoin and other digital assets. In May, the Department of Labor changed a rule that had warned against using crypto in retirement plans. Trump has also backed new crypto bills passed by the House and said the crypto industry played a big role in his election win.

This week, the House of Representatives approved three key bills focused on cryptocurrency, each receiving strong support from the Trump administration. The successful votes came shortly after a late-night discussion between Trump and several lawmakers, which helped break a procedural deadlock just two days earlier. These bills are part of a larger push to promote digital finance across the country. They aim to clear out existing regulatory barriers and create a more welcoming environment for the crypto industry.

BREAKING: 🇺🇸 US House PASSES The GENIUS Act. pic.twitter.com/K2SmyqkDiO

— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) July 17, 2025

Advertisement