The Crypto Door Opens for 401(k)s

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President Donald Trump’s recent executive order, signed on August 7, 2025, marks a seismic shift in U.S. retirement policy, cracking open the $12.5 trillion 401(k) market to alternative assets like cryptocurrencies, private equity, and real estate. This move, directing the Department of Labor and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to revise fiduciary guidelines under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), promises to democratize access to high-growth, high-risk assets previously reserved for the wealthy. For everyday Americans saving for retirement, this could be a game-changer—but it comes with caveats that demand careful consideration.

Let’s start with the opportunity. Over the past 15 years, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin have posted staggering growth compared to traditional investments. From 2010 to 2025, Bitcoin’s price soared from under $1 to over $123,190 at its 2025 peak, delivering annualized returns that dwarf the S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The SPY, a proxy for the broader U.S. stock market, grew at a very respectable annualized rate of about 7.8% from 2010 to 2025, turning a $10,000 investment into roughly $31,000.

By contrast, a $10,000 investment in Bitcoin in 2010 when it was worth less than a penny would be worth $119,864,000,000 today, even after accounting for its wild price swings.

The above example is just a thought exercise. The world in 2010 was a very different place, no one would have suggested that you should put your entire 401k -or indeed any of your 401K- into Bitcoin (“Fake internet money”) in 2010. However you only have to look 5 years later to see that the game had changed significantly.

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Ethereum, launched in 2015, has similarly outpaced traditional markets, with its price climbing from $0.31 to over $4,400 by mid-2025. On top of that inflows in to Ethereum ETF’s just broke an all time record on August 11th with over $1billion invested in a single day. These figures highlight why crypto has captured the imagination of investors: its growth potential is unmatched by the traditional assets that a 401K is usually invested in.

Crypto remains in its infancy for sure. The total market capitalization of cryptocurrencies, while significant at over $2 trillion, is still a fraction of the global equity market’s $100 trillion, but this nascent stage suggests that over the next 20 to 60 years—the typical horizon for a 401(k)—crypto could deliver substantial returns as adoption grows and blockchain technology reshapes finance, supply chains, and beyond. Historical parallels, like gold’s institutional adoption in the 1970s, support this optimism. When gold ETFs and futures contracts emerged, demand surged, driving multi-decade price increases. Similarly, just Bitcoin’s integration into 401(k)s could catalyze a multi-year bull market, fueled by systematic investments from millions of savers.

In just the last 7 years Bitcoin is up a staggering 1,796.81%.

If you look at where Bitcoin was 7 years ago

Just a $3,300 investment from your 401K in 2018 would now be worth $120,000. Which would change a lot of people retirement outlook.

This change in the 401k investment rules could be coming at a great time because the next stratospheric wins could come from the new generation of utility based cryptos hitting the market, such as XRP, HBAR, XLM, Curve and Flare many of which can be purchased on any exchange today from anywhere between pennies to a few dollars. Even a small investment (less than $1000) in these could pay off handsomely in the next 10 years just like what happened with Bitcoin first and Ethereum second.

For those who are more cautious there are a raft of Spot ETF’s for these new cryptos that are currently being reviewed by the SEC. It may have taken a decade for Bitcoin to get its first accredited ETF, but that timeline now is happening much faster.

Now for the catch: Crypto’s volatility is not for the faint of heart. Bitcoin’s 2025 price swing from $106,179 in January to $76,252 in April back to $120,000 today underscores the stomach-churning fluctuations that define the asset class. Over the past 15 years, Bitcoin has endured multiple drawdowns exceeding 50%, with some crashes wiping out 80% of its value in months. For comparison, the SPY’s worst drawdown during the same period was around 34% during the 2020 COVID-19 crash. Crypto’s volatility poses unique risks for 401(k) investors, particularly those nearing retirement who may lack the time to recover from a steep downturn. As LendingTree’s Matt Schulz warned, “The potential for great rewards comes with great risk.” That is not to say that the risks can’t be mitigated by an aware investor but they are very real.

This executive order is not a blank check to go all-in on speculative tokens like “Fartcoin” and expect a cozy retirement. The risks—volatility, regulatory uncertainty, and cybersecurity threats—must be weighed carefully, as with any investment. Diversification remains the cornerstone of prudent investing. Financial experts emphasize that no single asset class, including crypto, should dominate a portfolio. A strategic allocation—say, 5-10% to crypto—can hedge against inflation and capture spectacular growth while mitigating the impact of a crash. Overexposure, especially to leveraged or obscure tokens, could be catastrophic.

How to dip your toe in: For those hesitant to hold cryptocurrencies directly, the rise of spot Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs) offers a safer entry point. These funds, like BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) and VanEck’s Ethereum ETF (ETHV), have already attracted $13 billion in inflows in 2025, delivering returns of 20% and 11%, respectively. Spot ETFs provide exposure to crypto’s price movements without the complexities of self-custody, much like owning gold ETFs instead of physical bullion. The SEC’s recent moves, including approving in-kind creations and redemptions for crypto ETFs, signal growing regulatory acceptance, with more funds likely to gain approval soon.

Self-custody, however, appeals to those who value control. Holding Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, or XRP directly mirrors the logic of storing precious metals in a safe: you own the asset outright, free from counterparty risk. But this comes with responsibilities—secure wallets, private key management, and vigilance against hacks. For most 401(k) investors, professionally managed vehicles like ETFs or target-date funds with crypto allocations (like BlackRock’s planned 5-20% private asset funds) may be more practical, balancing access with fiduciary oversight.

So what’s next?: As the old saying goes, “This is not financial advice, do your own research.” Crypto’s complexity and risks demand a level of financial literacy many 401(k) participants lack. As Devin Carroll of Carroll Advisory Group noted, “Most 401(k) investors don’t have a strong understanding of the basics,” making education critical to avoid poor decisions.

Still, Trump’s executive order is a bold step toward integrating a fast-growing industry into America’s retirement system. By opening 401(k)s to crypto, it offers savers a chance to participate in a transformative asset class while underscoring the need for caution, diversification, and due diligence.

The crypto train is leaving the station, but only those who board wisely will reach their destination.