Trump Set to Sign Executive Order Opening Retirement Accounts to Crypto and Alternative Assets

In a major development poised to reshape how Americans invest for retirement, President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order this week that could open up the $9 trillion U.S. retirement savings market to alternative investments. This includes cryptocurrencies, infrastructure funds, gold, and private equity, according to the Financial Times.

The executive order is likely to instruct U.S. regulatory agencies to reassess and remove current barriers that restrict 401(k) retirement plans from diversifying into non-traditional asset classes.

“President Trump is committed to restoring prosperity for everyday Americans and safeguarding their economic future,”
a White House official stated, underscoring the intent to widen investment options for millions of Americans.

A Strategic Move in Trump’s Pro-Crypto Agenda

This move is part of Trump’s broader push to promote digital assets and crypto innovation in the United States. Throughout his campaign, Trump has repeatedly voiced his intention to “free crypto” from unduly onerous regulations and reverse what he sees as anti-crypto policies by the Biden administration.

Earlier, his administration revoked a U.S. Labor Department advisory issued during Biden's term, which discouraged crypto exposure in retirement accounts.

If the order proceeds as expected, it would allow Americans not only to invest in digital assets such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, but also to explore alternative stores of value like gold, infrastructure projects, and private equity funds—diversifying risk and potentially increasing returns.

Who Stands to Benefit from the Retirement Market Overhaul?

Investment Giants Ready to Capitalize

The major beneficiaries of this proposed shift will likely be large asset management firms such as BlackRock, Apollo, and Blackstone. These firms have long advocated for access to retirement accounts and are now reportedly forming strategic partnerships with major 401(k) plan providers like Vanguard and Empower to prepare for the rollout.

This could mark the beginning of a new investment era, enabling everyday Americans to tap into alternative assets once reserved for institutional or ultra-high-net-worth investors.

Parallel Legislative Developments: Crypto Gets More Regulatory Clarity

The Trump administration’s executive action coincides with three landmark cryptocurrency bills passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on July 17, signaling a broader movement toward regulatory clarity for the sector:

CLARITY Act

• Aims to establish a legal framework to classify digital assets as securities or commodities.

GENIUS Act

• Focuses on comprehensive stablecoin regulation. It has passed the Senate and awaits the President’s signature.

Anti-CBDC Act

• Seeks to prohibit the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency (CBDC) without Congressional approval.

These legislative efforts indicate a potential pivot toward fostering innovation while maintaining safeguards in the digital finance ecosystem.

Conclusion

The proposed executive order by Donald Trump could be a game-changer for millions of American retirees and the entire investment landscape. By potentially allowing professionally managed 401(k) plans to include alternative assets like crypto, gold, infrastructure funds, and private equity, the policy would diversify traditional retirement portfolios.

This aligns with Trump's broader pro-crypto stance and ongoing efforts to roll back restrictive financial regulations. It also comes at a time when major investment firms like BlackRock and Apollo are positioning themselves to capitalize on the shift.

Meanwhile, complementary legislation like the CLARITY and GENIUS Acts is helping build a stronger legal foundation for digital asset integration.

If successfully enacted, this move would not only empower everyday investors but could also accelerate mainstream adoption of cryptocurrencies and alternative investments in the U.S. financial system—potentially redefining retirement savings for future generations.