White House Moves to Let 401(k)s Invest in Bitcoin, Gold, Private Equity: FT

President Donald Trump is preparing an executive order to open the $9 trillion U.S. retirement market, specifically 401(k) plans, to investments in cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, gold, and private equity, the Financial Times reported on Thursday.

President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing an executive order directing regulatory agencies to clear hurdles for including cryptocurrencies, gold, and private equity within professionally managed 401(k) retirement funds, according to a Financial Times (FT) report. Sources say the order, expected soon, aims to allow these alternative investments beyond traditional stocks and bonds in the $9 trillion U.S. retirement savings market. It instructs agencies to investigate necessary regulatory changes. This follows the Labor Department’s May rescission of a Biden-era policy discouraging 401(k) administrators from offering cryptocurrency options. The move could significantly benefit large private capital groups like Blackstone, Apollo, and Blackrock, anticipating access to hundreds of billions in new assets. The order also seeks a regulatory “safe harbour” for plan administrators offering these less liquid, higher-fee private investments to minimize their legal risks.