Rule allowing crypto in 401(k)s reaches White House for final review
A Labor Department rule that could open retirement plans to digital assets is now sitting with the White House for a final look
The US Department of Labor has submitted a rule that would make it easier to include cryptocurrencies and other alternative assets in 401(k) retirement plans to the White House for final review, according to a Bloomberg Law report published Friday.
The rule reached the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs on November 5, according to federal regulatory records, marking one of the final steps before its potential release.
The Labor Department introduced the proposed regulation in March to expand access to alternative investments, including crypto, private equity, and real estate, through retirement plans.
Under the proposal, employers and plan fiduciaries would receive legal protections when selecting alternative investments, provided they assess six factors: performance, fees, liquidity, valuation, performance benchmarks, and complexity.
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The initiative follows an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in August 2025 directing the Labor Department to reconsider restrictions and guidance surrounding alternative investments in retirement accounts.
The rule remains under White House review and has not taken effect. Its approval would provide a clearer regulatory framework for offering alternative assets in 401(k) plans without requiring employers to include them.
Disclosure: This article was edited by John Chen. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
