What Just Happened
On August 7, 2025, former President Donald Trump $TRUMP
signed an executive order that allows 401(k) retirement plans to invest in alternative asset classes—including cryptocurrencies, real estate, and private equity. This is a major shift for roughly $9–12 trillion in retirement savings across the United States.
What’s Next?
The Department of Labor and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) are now tasked with reviewing current regulations and updating fiduciary guidelines to accommodate these alternative investments.
Why It Matters
This move enables greater diversification of retirement portfolios beyond traditional stocks and bonds.
It offers the potential for higher returns, especially for crypto and private market investments — though accompanied by increased volatility and risk.
What to Expect Going Forward
Significant legal and regulatory revisions are still required, so implementation will take time.
Retirement savers may eventually gain access to new investment options, giving them more control and flexibility—but also requiring more knowledge.