President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing federal agencies to facilitate the inclusion of digital assets within 401(k) retirement plans.

The executive order tasks the Department of Labor, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the Treasury Department with revising existing regulations and clarifying guidance, aiming to give American workers access to a wider range of alternative investments.

The order specifically references digital assets alongside private equity and real estate, marking a substantial shift from previous guidelines that either discouraged or placed limits on crypto exposure in retirement plans.

This story is an excerpt from the Unchained Daily newsletter.

In Q1, Americans held around $8.7 trillion in 401(k) assets, according to data from Investment Company Institute. 

According to Glitch Financial CEO Arrash Yasavolian, the order will create simpler, more regulated onramps for individuals and institutions and add a new element of legitimacy to asset classes like crypto.

“Alternative assets like crypto and private equity are particularly valuable for younger investors, technologists, and those seeking asymmetric upside or early-stage exposure,” Yasavolian said in a statement to Unchained.