
- Bitcoin and crypto assets are entering 401(k)s post regulatory shifts.
- Regulatory encouragement allows retirement plans to include cryptocurrencies.
- Potential institutional investment increases predicted with new policy framework.
SEC’s Hester Peirce stated that Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies are being included in 401(k) plans, following a policy shift influenced by a 2025 executive order from President Trump.

This move potentially transforms U.S. retirement savings, introducing a $12.5 trillion market for crypto, backed by new regulatory leniency, impacting major assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum.
SEC’s Hester Peirce: Crypto Entering 401(k) Retirement Plans
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Hester Peirce highlights how Bitcoin and crypto assets are integrating into 401(k) plans, resulting from recent regulatory changes. This shift involves regulatory updates and expanded opportunities for digital assets.
Hester Peirce and President Trump initiated these changes by promoting a new regulatory stance. The Department of Labor advised neutrality, facilitating crypto’s inclusion as part of the $12.5 trillion in retirement capital.
These changes could impact investors and asset managers, offering new opportunities for crypto exposure. This regulatory shift is set to reshape how retirement funds manage digital assets, potentially influencing financial strategies and planning.
The SEC’s decision affects financial markets and opens potential for greater institutional fund flows into crypto. This includes anticipated increased involvement in crypto markets and emphasizes diversified asset growth.
Bitcoin and Ethereum are being considered for 401(k) menus by investment companies. This allows for potential increased volumes flowing into institutional-grade funds, showing the extent of crypto integration into retirement portfolios.
The involvement of cryptocurrency in retirement plans could lead to notable financial and regulatory changes. Expected results include higher institutional interest and a diverse range of tokenized asset options, reflecting shifts in asset allocation approaches.
Hester Peirce, Commissioner, SEC, “Market forces will ultimately prove which forms of tokenizing securities and other real-world assets will win out.”