Key facts
- 77% of Americans consider cryptocurrency in workplace retirement plans risky.
- 53% of Americans oppose employers offering crypto as an investment option.
- 80% of respondents believe the US is facing a retirement crisis.
- 68% of Americans find it increasingly difficult to prepare for retirement.
- US policymakers are moving to broaden access to alternative assets in retirement accounts.
- The Department of Labor rescinded guidance that had discouraged cryptocurrency investments in 401(k)s.
A survey by The National Institute on Retirement Security reveals widespread skepticism among Americans regarding the inclusion of cryptocurrency in workplace retirement plans. The findings indicate that 77% of Americans view crypto in these plans as risky, with 46% considering it very risky, and 53% opposing its availability as an investment option. This sentiment emerges amid growing concerns about retirement security, as 80% of respondents believe the U.S. faces a retirement crisis, an increase from 67% in 2020. Affordability issues and debt are also significant factors, with 68% finding retirement preparation more difficult and 77% stating that debt hinders their savings.
Despite this public apprehension, U.S. policymakers have been actively exploring ways to broaden access to alternative assets, including digital assets, within retirement accounts. The Trump administration and federal regulators have taken steps in this direction. Notably, the Department of Labor rescinded guidance from May 2025 that had advised 401(k) plan fiduciaries to exercise extreme caution with cryptocurrency investments, shifting to a neutral stance. Further action was taken when President Donald Trump signed an executive order on August 7, 2025, aimed at expanding alternative asset access in defined-contribution plans and directing relevant departments to consider regulatory changes. The Labor Department subsequently rescinded its 2021 guidance discouraging alternative assets, emphasizing a principles-based evaluation approach. More recently, in March 2026, the Department of Labor proposed rules to outline how 401(k) fiduciaries could incorporate alternative assets, including safe harbors to mitigate litigation risks, while requiring consideration of factors like fees and liquidity. However, this proposal has faced opposition from lawmakers, including Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren and Representative Bobby Scott, who have urged the Labor Department to withdraw the rules due to concerns about crypto's volatility and inadequate investor protections.