U.S. Department of Labor Proposes 401(k) Rule Allowing Bitcoin Consideration

The U.S. Department of Labor has introduced a proposal that could permit 401(k) plan fiduciaries to consider Bitcoin and other alternative assets. According to NS3.AI, the proposal aims to protect fiduciaries who adhere to a prudent due-diligence process, which includes evaluating fees, liquidity, valuation, and performance benchmarks. This initiative marks a shift from the 2022 guidance that advised caution regarding cryptocurrency in retirement plans, although it does not explicitly endorse any specific asset class.