White House Clears Rule That Could Open $10 Trillion 401(k) Market to Bitcoin and Crypto

Key TakeawaysWhite House review cleared a Labor Department rule that could allow crypto in $10T 401(k) retirement market.The proposal would amend fiduciary guidance under ERISA to include Bitcoin and alternative assets.Rule classified as “economically significant,” signaling major potential market impact.Move follows Trump executive order pushing broader access to digital assets in retirement plans.The White House has cleared a key regulatory review of a proposed rule that could open the $10 trillion U.S. 401(k) market to Bitcoin and other digital assets, marking a significant step toward mainstream crypto adoption in retirement portfolios.The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), part of the Executive Office of Donald Trump, completed its review on March 24, allowing the Department of Labor to proceed with formally publishing the proposal.If finalized, the rule would amend fiduciary guidance for retirement plans governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), potentially permitting plan sponsors to include cryptocurrency and private equity as investment options within participant-directed 401(k) plans.The proposal follows a prior executive order from Trump directing federal agencies, including the Securities and Exchange Commission and Treasury Department, to explore expanding access to alternative assets—such as crypto—within retirement accounts.OIRA classified the rule as “economically significant,” indicating it could have a material impact on the U.S. economy, typically defined as exceeding $200 million annually.The development comes as retirement savings continue to grow. Data from Fidelity Investments shows the average 401(k) balance reached $144,400 in Q3 2025, up 9% year-over-year, while IRA balances rose to $137,902.If implemented, the rule could significantly expand institutional demand for Bitcoin by enabling retirement funds to allocate capital into crypto markets, potentially reshaping long-term inflows and market structure.