Rep. Troy Downing has introduced a bill to codify President Trump’s Executive Order 14330, which would clear the way for including alternative assets—including cryptocurrencies—in 401(k) plans when a plan fiduciary deems them appropriate.
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Legislative push: Rep. Troy Downing submitted draft legislation to the House Financial Services Committee to turn EO 14330 into law.
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Agency review required within six months: the Department of Labor, SEC, and Treasury must issue guidance for 401(k) plans.
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Retirement scale: Investment Company Institute data show roughly $9.3 trillion in U.S. 401(k) accounts as of June 30, underscoring potential market impact.
Trump executive order crypto 401(k): Bill seeks to make crypto eligible for 401(k) plans; read COINOTAG’s concise analysis and next steps for investors.
By COINOTAG | Published: October 15, 2025 | Updated: October 15, 2025
Sources: U.S. Department of Labor, Securities and Exchange Commission, U.S. Treasury, Investment Company Institute, Bitwise, House Financial Services Committee.
How does Trump’s executive order allow cryptocurrencies in 401(k) accounts?
Trump executive order crypto 401(k) directs federal agencies to prioritize guidance enabling qualified retirement plans to consider alternative assets—including digital assets—when a plan fiduciary determines inclusion is appropriate. The order (Executive Order 14330, issued August 7) instructs the Department of Labor, SEC, and Treasury to review rules and publish prioritized guidance for 401(k) plans within six months.
Which agencies and steps are required to make the executive order permanent?
Turning an executive order into lasting policy requires coordinated action across the executive branch and, ultimately, Congress. The Department of Labor must update fiduciary guidance, the Securities and Exchange Commission must clarify investment- and custody-related regulations for digital assets, and the Treasury must assess tax and reporting implications. Concurrently, Rep. Troy Downing submitted a draft bill to the House Financial Services Committee to codify EO 14330 into statute; if both chambers of Congress pass that bill and the president signs it, the policy becomes law. Historical context: the Department of Labor rescinded prior Biden-era guidance in May that urged caution on crypto in retirement plans, increasing the urgency of new agency guidance.
Why does this matter for retirement savers and the crypto market?
The proposal has immediate implications for retirement savers and asset managers. With roughly $9.3 trillion held in 401(k) accounts as reported by the Investment Company Institute at June 30, even modest allocation of plan assets to alternative investments could translate into substantial capital flows. Proponents, including André Dragosch of Bitwise, argue that plan-level access to crypto could accelerate broad adoption and bring new institutional capital to digital assets; critics caution about volatility, custody risks, and fiduciary responsibility.
What are “alternative assets” under the order?
Executive Order 14330 lists alternative assets as private market investments, real estate, commodities, infrastructure projects, lifetime income strategies, and digital assets managed through active investment vehicles. Inclusion is conditional: plan fiduciaries must determine whether such allocations align with the plan’s objectives and risk profile. The order does not mandate that every plan offer crypto—rather, it creates a regulatory path that could make offerings more feasible for plans that choose to provide them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies to my 401(k) now under the executive order?
Not automatically. EO 14330 sets a framework for agencies to issue guidance and does not immediately change plan offerings. Employers and plan fiduciaries must still evaluate suitability, custody solutions, and compliance before adding digital assets to a 401(k).
How soon could crypto be available in employer 401(k) plans?
If agencies meet the six-month guidance timeline in EO 14330 and Congress moves to codify the order, plan-level availability could accelerate within months to a few years—timelines depend on agency rulemaking, plan administrator readiness, and fiduciary decisions.
Key Takeaways
- Policy path: Executive Order 14330 directs agencies to prioritize guidance that could enable crypto in 401(k) plans; Rep. Troy Downing’s draft bill aims to make that permanent.
- Agency action required: Department of Labor, SEC, and Treasury must align on fiduciary, securities, custody, and tax rules before widespread plan adoption is practical.
- Market scale: With $9.3 trillion in 401(k) assets (Investment Company Institute), even conservative allocations to alternative assets could materially affect capital flows into digital assets.
Conclusion
Rep. Troy Downing’s bill and President Trump’s Executive Order 14330 together create a clear regulatory and legislative pathway for introducing alternative assets—including cryptocurrencies—into 401(k) plans, but significant agency guidance and fiduciary determinations remain required. COINOTAG will monitor Department of Labor, SEC, and Treasury actions and report material developments as agencies publish guidance and Congress considers codification. For retirement savers and plan sponsors, the next months will clarify practical availability and risk-management expectations.
