Modernizing the nest egg: the past, present, and future of crypto in 401(k) plans

CoinDesk

by David Lawant

February 26, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The article explores the transformative journey of crypto assets gaining a foothold in 401(k) plans, marking a significant shift from regulatory ambiguity to institutional acceptance. Over the past decade, the $10 trillion 401(k) market remained largely untouched by crypto due to legal and compliance concerns. However, recent policy changes have poised 2026 as a pivotal year for integrating crypto into retirement planning. The turning point came with the Department of Labor (DOL)'s abandonment of its restrictive "extreme care" standard in May 2025. This move reversed a 2022 guidance that effectively banned crypto in retirement plans, aligning the DOL's stance with a more neutral, principles-based approach. Further momentum was gained through President Donald Trump's August 2025 Executive Order, which mandated "Democratizing Access to Alternative Assets for 401(k) Investors," explicitly including crypto as an alternative asset class alongside private equity and real estate. The DOL is now finalizing new guidance on alternative assets, focusing on creating a fiduciary safe harbor. This framework aims to protect plan sponsors from liability if they meet specific standards, such as custody requirements and portfolio allocation limits. While these regulations will facilitate broader adoption, the shift toward seamless integration of crypto into 401(k) plans is expected to be gradual, influenced by factors like fiduciary buy-in and platform capabilities. For readers interested in crypto, this development underscores

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Originally published on CoinDesk on 2/26/2026