Washington’s latest retirement campaign could send fresh 401(k) money to Bitcoin sooner than expected.
House Republicans introduced the Retirement Investment Choice Act, a bill that would turn President Donald Trump’s August executive order into law.
The proposal officially opens the door for retirement plans to include “alternative assets,” such as funds investing in digital currencies.
The move comes as regulators advance guidance on the issue, with Bitcoin trading near $113,000 in a volatile market.
If passed, the legislation would give Executive Order 14330 the full force of law. It directs the Department of Labor and the Securities and Exchange Commission to make room for a wider range of investment choices in defined contribution industries. plans like 401(k)s.
How will the 180-day delay affect employer retirement plans?
Although the order does not require plans to offer cryptocurrencies, it specifically mentions “actively managed investment vehicles that invest in digital assets.”
It also sets a 180-day deadline for the Secretary of Labor to clarify fiduciary duties, potentially including safe harbor protections for employers who choose to offer such options.
In May, the Ministry of Labor canceled its 2022 guidance that urged plan sponsors to exercise “extreme caution” with crypto-related products.
This pullback marked a shift to a neutral stance, neither endorsing nor discouraging exposure to digital assets in retirement portfolios.
In September, the Labor Department announced plans to propose new rules clarifying when asset allocation funds that include alternatives can be offered. The agency also hinted at potential safe harbors for fiduciaries managing these products.
“This advisory opinion provides much-needed clarity and certainty as the Department works to release proposed regulations,” said Assistant Secretary Keith Sonderling. said at the time.
Bitcoin is trading around $112,985, with intraday movements ranging from around $110,099 to $115,916.
(Source: Coingecko)
According to SoSoValue data, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs saw net outflows of around $326.5 million on Tuesday, as global markets weakened amid renewed trade tensions between the United States and China.
(Source: SoSoValue)
The new executive order directs regulators to coordinate how alternative assets can fit into default options and managed retirement portfolios.
This is important because most savers rely on target date or professionally managed funds.
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Why are BlackRock and KKR creating retirement-ready investment products?
The dynamics of the industry are growing rapidly. Empower supported order in August, saying they planned to expand access to private investments and cryptocurrencies as well as lifetime income options.
Large asset managers, including BlackRock and KKR, are now developing products tailored to retirements.
Private market companies are seeking to adapt their offers to the daily rate structure of defined contribution plans.
Supporters in Congress say this flexibility could help diversify portfolios without weakening ERISA’s protections. A letter from the House Financial Services Committee last month praised the order and urged the Labor Department to create a formal “safe harbor” through rulemaking.
Not everyone agrees. Critics warn that adding alternatives, particularly crypto, could increase fees, limit liquidity and bring more volatility to 401(k) plans.
Meanwhile, veteran trader Peter Brandt explained how he is preparing for retirement.
In a recent post on X, he said he plans to keep 5% of his Bitcoin holdings in his retirement portfolio.
I believe my best bet is to:
1. Convert my own trades from daily charts to weekly charts for as long as I can do it
2. Quality Dividend Stocks
3. Emerging markets
4. Gold and silver
5.5% BTC– Peter Brandt (@PeterLBrandt) October 13, 2025
This comment followed a question he had earlier asked his followers about investment strategies later in life.
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Brandt’s approach goes beyond Bitcoin. It focuses on stable income and lower risk. Brandt also chooses dividend-paying stocks for stable income. It also adds exposure to emerging markets for growth and invests in precious metals like gold and silver to protect against inflation.
He also said he was scaling back his business activities. He’s moving from daily to weekly trading to slow down his pace as he nears retirement.
This strategy marks a move towards stability and reliable returns.
However, by keeping 5% of his portfolio in Bitcoin, he shows that he still believes in the long-term solidity of this asset. This remains true even after the recent market crisis.
For Brandt, Bitcoin remains a hedge against inflation, his version of digital gold.
His approach reflects a simple message: As retirement approaches, balance and a stable income matter more than media hype.
Brandt also explained why real estate hasn’t declined, saying that real estate prices are inflated and could soon see a major correction.
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The article Retirement Wallets Are About to Inflate Your Crypto Stack: Here’s Why appeared first on 99Bitcoins.
