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401(k) Retirement Plans May Include Bitcoin
President Trump signed an executive order Thursday allowing cryptocurrencies in 401(k) retirement accounts. The directive tells regulators to remove barriers preventing employers from offering digital assets, private equity, and real estate in workplace retirement plans.
The order targets the Department of Labor and Treasury to review current restrictions and recommend reforms. If implemented, millions of Americans could allocate retirement funds to Bitcoin through regulated channels, legitimizing crypto as a long-term investment vehicle.
Bitcoin rose above $117,000 following the announcement, showing the strong connection between policy developments and crypto markets.
Pro-Crypto Economist Joins Federal Reserve
Trump nominated economist Stephen Miran to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. Miran, currently chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, supports digital assets and financial innovation.
The nomination fills the seat left by Biden appointee Adriana Kugler, who recently resigned. Though Miran’s term only runs through January 2026, analysts view this as continuing Trump’s pro-crypto stance at the central bank level.
SEC Provides Clarity on Liquid Staking
The SEC clarified Tuesday that liquid staking models, particularly those involving receipt tokens like Lido’s stETH, do not qualify as securities. This means platforms can offer these services without securities registration, removing regulatory uncertainty from the DeFi sector.
Jason Gottlieb from Morrison Cohen noted the SEC’s improved understanding of crypto mechanics, explaining that liquid staking tokens are simply receipts for underlying tokens.
New SEC Chair Promises US-First Approach
SEC Chair Paul Atkins vowed to keep crypto innovation in the United States. Speaking at the America First Policy Institute, Atkins said the SEC will be “proactive, not reactive” in building crypto-friendly regulations.
“The SEC will not stand idly by and watch innovations develop overseas while our capital markets remain stagnant,” Atkins stated, signaling a shift from enforcement-heavy tactics to collaborative regulation.
These developments suggest a more constructive environment for crypto firms and investors heading into 2025’s second half.
