Donald Trump is preparing to sign an executive order that would allow professionally managed retirement plans, including 401(k)s and IRAs, to invest in digital assets. This action would lift existing restrictions and enable cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum to be included in U.S. retirement portfolios. The policy targets a retirement market currently worth nearly $9 trillion, making it one of the most direct government efforts to integrate crypto into traditional finance.

The news first came out from the Financial Times as of 17.7.25.

Scope
The order would instruct federal agencies such as the Department of Labor and the SEC to review current regulations and remove barriers that limit access to digital assets in retirement accounts. The change is expected to apply to self-directed brokerage windows within employer-sponsored plans, allowing individuals to choose digital asset exposure as part of their long-term savings strategy. Financial providers would have the option to offer crypto investment products within the same framework used for other asset classes.

Policy Context
This follows a series of ´´crypto-focused´´ moves from the Trump administration. Earlier this year, the Department of Labor withdrew prior guidance that discouraged digital assets in retirement plans. Other actions include plans for a strategic Bitcoin reserve and the appointment of a crypto policy advisor. In Congress, bills focused on digital asset regulation, such as the GENIUS Act and the Clarity Act, are also moving to the presidents desk for a final signature after having passed in the House. The executive order builds on these developments by creating a clear mechanism for digital assets to enter retirement portfolios under formal rules.

According to Omar Kanji, a partner at the firm Dragonfly Ventures ´´if crypto sees just 1% allocation from 401K´s, that´s $90b in fresh inflows´´. via X as of 18.7.25

Why It Matters for Digital Assets
Making crypto available in retirement accounts increases access and gives the asset class a place within one of the largest sources of capital in the U.S. economy. This move allows individuals to hold digital assets through regulated investment channels, making crypto more accessible without relying on external wallets or unregulated platforms. Financial firms would be able to create crypto-focused retirement offerings, expanding both product variety and investor choice. Interest in this option already exists. A survey by Bitget found that 20% of Gen Z respondents would be willing to receive their pensions in cryptocurrency, showing that demand for crypto in retirement planning is already present among younger savers.

Conclusion
The executive order would be a notable step towards making digital assets a viable part of retirement planning in the U.S. By removing regulatory blocks, it gives both individuals and financial institutions a clearer path to include crypto in long-term investment strategies. While further measures from regulators and providers will determine how broadly this is adopted, the policy of the current U.S. administration is clear and focused on expanding access to digital assets within one of the most established areas of personal finance.

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