Donald Trump to Unlock $9 trillion in Retirement Savings for Crypto and Gold Investments

President Donald Trump is preparing to sign a sweeping executive order this week that could radically reshape the way Americans invest for retirement.

According to The Financial Times, the order will open up $9 trillion in 401k retirement savings to a broader range of assets, including cryptocurrencies, gold, private equity, and infrastructure deals.

Executive order to widen 401k investment options

The directive will instruct U.S. regulators to address remaining legal and technical barriers, paving the way for professionally managed 401k plans to incorporate alternative assets. These plans, traditionally limited to stock and bond funds, are a key retirement vehicle for millions of Americans.

A White House spokesperson told the FT that President Trump remains “committed to protecting the economic future and advancing the prosperity of every American,” but emphasized that no decision is final until officially announced.

The plan also includes a “safe harbor” framework to protect 401k administrators from liability when offering higher-risk options like digital assets or private equity. This protection is crucial, as such investments often carry higher fees, lower liquidity, and potential regulatory scrutiny.

Crypto support builds as Trump dismantles old rules

Trump’s move is widely seen as part of his larger effort to integrate the crypto sector into the U.S. financial system. In recent weeks, his administration has:

• Rolled back Biden-era guidance that discouraged crypto in retirement portfolios
• Lifted sanctions on major crypto platforms
• Backed three crypto bills passed by the House of Representatives

During his 2024 campaign, Trump promised to eliminate what he called “excessive regulation” of digital assets. He now credits the industry’s support as a key factor in his election victory.

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Private equity firms set to benefit

Beyond crypto, the order could be a boon for major private equity and asset management firms such as Blackstone, Apollo, and BlackRock, which have long sought access to America’s vast pool of retirement capital. The new rules could allow them to offer tailored investment vehicles directly to individual savers.

If implemented, Trump’s retirement reform would mark one of the most significant shifts in U.S. financial policy in decades, transforming how future generations build wealth.

Kosta Gushterov

Kosta has been working in the crypto industry for over 4 years. He strives to present different perspectives on a given topic and enjoys the sector for its transparency and dynamism. In his work, he focuses on balanced coverage of events and developments in the crypto space, providing information to his readers from a neutral perspective.