Trending Now - US Labor Department Considers Crypto Investments in 401(k)s

WHO:

NewsBTC - The US Labor Department, specifically the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA).

NewsBTC - Deputy Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling.

NewsBTC - Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

NewsBTC - Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Paul Atkins.

Cointelegraph - Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer.

The Washington Post - The Trump administration.

WHAT:

NewsBTC - The US Labor Department published a proposed regulation to give 401(k) participants access to alternative investments, including crypto assets like Bitcoin (BTC).

NewsBTC - The proposed rule includes safe-harbor procedures for plan managers to evaluate designated investment alternatives.

NewsBTC - The rule requires fiduciaries to evaluate factors such as expected performance, fees, liquidity, valuation methods, and complexity of crypto assets.

NewsBTC - The proposed rule aims to provide a structured path for fiduciaries to consider crypto investments without compliance risks.

The Washington Post - The proposal allows employees to invest in cryptocurrencies, private equity, and other alternative assets through their workplace retirement plans.

WHERE:

NewsBTC - The regulation pertains to 401(k) plans in the United States.

WHEN:

NewsBTC - The proposed regulation was published on March 30th, 2026.

NewsBTC - The Biden administration's compliance guidance that discouraged crypto options was issued in 2022.

WHY:

NewsBTC - The proposed rule is intended to translate President Trump’s executive order, “Democratizing Access to Alternative Assets for 401(k) Investors,” into practical regulatory guidance.

NewsBTC - The rule aims to remove regulatory uncertainty and broaden access to retirement investment options for millions of Americans.

HOW:

NewsBTC - The proposed rule establishes a clear, process-driven framework for plan fiduciaries to follow when evaluating non-traditional assets for defined contribution plans.

(UPDATED March 31, 2026 07:19 UTC)

on Monday, the US Labor Department published a proposed regulation that would allow 401(k) participants to invest in alternative assets, including cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. This rule, which translates President Trump’s executive order aimed at democratizing access to alternative investments, provides a structured framework for fiduciaries to evaluate these options while ensuring compliance. It seeks to remove regulatory uncertainty and broaden retirement investment choices for millions of Americans.