401(k)

Theo báo cáo của Bloomberg, Bộ Lao động Hoa Kỳ đã gửi quy định cuối cùng nhằm tạo điều kiện cho kế hoạch nghỉ hưu bao gồm các tài sản thay thế như vốn tư nhân, bất động sản và tiền điện tử đến Văn phòng Thông tin và Quản lý Quy định (OIRA) của Nhà Trắng vào thứ Năm. Việc gửi quy định này cho thấy quy định đã gần hoàn thành và sắp được công bố, nhưng hiện vẫn đang trong giai đoạn xem xét.Bộ Lao động đã công bố đề xuất liên quan vào ngày 30 tháng 3. Theo đề xuất trước đó, các ủy thác có thể nhận được sự bảo vệ an toàn pháp lý khi đưa tài sản tư nhân vào các lựa chọn đầu tư trong kế hoạch 401(k) nếu đáp ứng sáu yêu cầu. Sáu yếu tố này bao gồm hiệu suất đầu tư, chi phí, tính thanh khoản, định giá, chỉ số hiệu suất so sánh và độ phức tạp.

Tổng thống Mỹ Donald Trump đã phát đi hai bài viết có quan điểm trái ngược trên Truth Social trong bối cảnh thị trường chứng khoán Mỹ biến động mạnh sau cuộc bầu cử giữa kỳ. Vào trưa ngày 4 tháng 11 theo giờ địa phương, ông cho biết thị trường chứng khoán đã lập kỷ lục mới trong lịch sử, trong thời gian ngắn đã có 91 ngày giao dịch phá vỡ kỷ lục, và viết rằng "401(k) của các bạn đã tăng vọt, toàn là kỷ lục".Khoảng một ngày sau, vào buổi tối ngày 5 tháng 11, trong ngày thị trường chứng khoán giảm mạnh với chỉ số Dow Jones giảm khoảng 3,44%, S&P 500 giảm khoảng 4,36%, và Nasdaq giảm khoảng 5,52%, ông lại đăng bài viết nói rằng "Thị trường chứng khoán đã trải qua một trong những ngày giao dịch tồi tệ nhất trong lịch sử do kết quả bầu cử" và "401(k) của các bạn vì vậy đã bị thu hẹp", đồng thời nhấn mạnh "không phải đảng Cộng hòa, mà là những người Dân chủ ngu ngốc (Dumocrats)", và kêu gọi không hoảng sợ, sẽ "trở nên mạnh mẽ hơn bao giờ hết theo một cách nào đó". Tối hôm đó, ông cũng đăng bài viết khác nói rằng "Thị trường chứng khoán hôm nay đã sụp đổ, vì đảng Dân chủ đã thắng lớn vào thứ Ba... các bạn chỉ có thể tự trách mình".

Theo thông tin từ ChainCatcher, theo báo cáo của CoinDesk, nghị sĩ đảng Dân chủ Maxine Waters đã gửi một bức thư ý kiến dài 11 trang đến Bộ Lao động Hoa Kỳ, yêu cầu rút lại đề xuất cho phép kế hoạch hưu trí 401(k) đầu tư vào tài sản thay thế (bao gồm vốn tư nhân, tín dụng tư nhân, bất động sản, hàng hóa và tài sản kỹ thuật số).Waters cho biết: "Bộ Lao động một mặt công nhận rằng tài sản kỹ thuật số phù hợp với việc tiết kiệm hưu trí của người Mỹ bình thường, mặt khác Ủy ban Chứng khoán và Giao dịch (SEC) vẫn đang xây dựng cơ chế bảo vệ nhà đầu tư nhằm đảm bảo an toàn cho việc đầu tư vào những tài sản này, điều này tự nó đã mâu thuẫn. Rủi ro không chỉ giới hạn ở sự biến động của các mã token riêng lẻ (mặc dù sự biến động thực sự rất lớn), mà nó phản ánh sự suy giảm chung của toàn bộ hệ sinh thái tài sản kỹ thuật số, hoạt động giao dịch, mức độ tham gia của nhà phát triển và mức độ tham gia của người dùng đều giảm mạnh."Waters đã từng giữ chức vụ trong Ủy ban Dịch vụ Tài chính Hạ viện trong nhiệm kỳ trước của đảng Dân chủ, nếu đảng Dân chủ giành được đa số ghế tại Hạ viện Hoa Kỳ sau cuộc bầu cử giữa nhiệm kỳ vào tháng 11, bà có thể sẽ một lần nữa đảm nhận chức vụ chủ tịch ủy ban này.

According to The Block, U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, along with Representative Robert Scott, sent a letter to the Department of Labor requesting the withdrawal of a proposed rule that would allow 401(k) retirement plans to include alternative assets such as cryptocurrencies. The lawmakers stated in the letter that the proposed rule would create a so-called safe harbor for fiduciaries offering alternative investments, which would strip retirement savers of long-standing investor protections and encourage the use of riskier, more complex, and expensive investments.The Department of Labor announced the proposed rule in March, providing guidance steps for 401(k) plan managers to include alternative assets (including private equity, real estate, and digital assets) in their portfolios. Lawmakers expressed concerns about the volatility of digital assets and cited a Federal Bureau of Investigation report indicating that crypto-related fraud losses could exceed a record $11 billion in 2025. They also pointed out the Trump family's conflicts of interest in the crypto space, stating that the Department of Labor's proposed rule could enhance the president's interests at the expense of ordinary workers and retirees.

According to Reuters, the U.S. Department of Labor has proposed allowing 401(k) retirement plans to include alternative assets such as private equity and cryptocurrencies, aiming to break long-standing investment barriers.The proposal requires trustees to conduct strict reviews of factors such as asset performance, fees, and liquidity, with compliant parties receiving legal protection. Private equity giants like Blackstone, KKR, and Apollo are expected to tap into new sources of capital as a result, with related stock prices rising following the announcement. Treasury Secretary Yellen stated that this move is a preliminary measure to "protect retirement assets." The proposal will open a 60-day public comment period. Critics, such as Senator Warren, have warned that this move could expose retirement savings to high-risk assets.

According to Cointelegraph, the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) of the White House has completed its review of a proposal from the Department of Labor (DOL) regarding allowing 401(k) fiduciaries to include alternative assets (including digital assets) in the evaluation scope of retirement plans.OIRA marked the conclusion of this review as "change approved" and categorized the proposal as "economically significant." The Department of Labor is expected to release proposed rules next, initiating a 60-day public comment period, after which final rules are typically published following revisions. The completion of this review is a follow-up to the executive order issued by Trump on August 7, 2025.This executive order requires federal agencies to expand access to alternative assets in 401(k) plans, including gaining exposure to digital assets through specific investment tools, and mandates the Department of Labor to reassess regulations that restrict private equity, real estate, and digital assets from entering defined contribution plans, while also requiring the Treasury to collaborate with the SEC to support rule revisions.In May 2025, the Department of Labor rescinded a compliance guideline from the Biden administration that required fiduciaries to be "extremely cautious" when including cryptocurrencies in 401(k) plans, marking a fundamental shift in the federal government's attitude towards including digital assets in retirement plans.According to data from the Investment Company Institute, as of September 30, 2025, the financial assets in the U.S. retirement market have reached a record $48.1 trillion. Additionally, the Indiana state legislature passed a bill on February 25 requiring certain state retirement and savings plans to offer at least one cryptocurrency investment option by July 1, 2027.

According to Cointelegraph, the proposal supported by Trump to "allow cryptocurrencies and private equity to be included in 401(k) retirement plans" has passed White House review. The U.S. Department of Labor is expected to issue relevant rules soon.

Asset management company VanEck has partnered with fintech company Basic Capital to incorporate some digital asset ETFs into its corporate 401(k) retirement plan platform, allowing U.S. retirement savers to indirectly invest in crypto assets through exchange-traded funds. VanEck's products include the spot Bitcoin ETF VanEck Bitcoin Trust (HODL) and the Ethereum ETF VanEck Ethereum Trust (ETHV).Previously, the U.S. Department of Labor had withdrawn restrictive guidance on providing crypto investments in 401(k) plans.

According to market news, the U.S. Congress is urging the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to approve the inclusion of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in 401(k) retirement plans.Members of the House Financial Services Committee have written to SEC Chairman Paul Atkins, urging him to update securities rules to treat digital assets as an investment category equivalent to other alternative investments within retirement accounts. The lawmakers pointed out that Americans saving for retirement deserve more investment options, as current rules are outdated and overly restrictive, hindering millions from accessing new asset classes. They also emphasized the need to redefine the "accredited investor" standard. Currently, strict investor qualification regulations limit participation in certain private and alternative investment markets.Such plans are typically only available to wealthy or high-net-worth individuals. Congress now hopes to expand the rules to include individuals with professional licenses, relevant work experience, or those who can pass competency exams. The lawmakers also stated that the SEC should coordinate with the Department of Labor, which oversees retirement plan fiduciaries, to jointly develop rules. They believe that the two agencies need to find a safe and responsible way to incorporate alternative assets into the investment options of 401(k) plans.

ChainCatcher news, according to The Block, a new bill in the U.S. House of Representatives will implement an executive order signed by President Trump, which directs the Department of Labor to pave the way for including cryptocurrency and private equity investments in 401(k) retirement plans.Informed sources revealed that Republican Congressman Troy Downing from Montana will introduce the bill on Tuesday, titled the "Retirement Investment Options Act." The source stated, "The focus of the bill is to codify the executive order and give it long-term effect. The core driving force of the bill is to promote financial democratization and allow more people to access these alternative investments." The bill has four Republican co-sponsors: Representatives Byron Donalds, Buddy Carter, Warren Davidson, and Barry Moore. According to sources, there is currently no corresponding version of the bill in the Senate.

ChainCatcher News: U.S. Republican Congressman Troy Downing will introduce a new bill titled the Retirement Investment Choice Act on Tuesday, aimed at legislating an executive order previously signed by President Trump to allow cryptocurrencies and private equity to be included in the investment options for 401(k) retirement plans.The bill has the support of four Republican co-sponsors, including Byron Donalds, Buddy Carter, Warren Davidson, and Barry Moore. Downing stated that this move will enable more American savers to access high-potential alternative assets. Previously, the Biden administration had taken a cautious stance on including crypto assets in retirement plans.

ChainCatcher news, according to CNBC, U.S. President Trump signed an executive order on Thursday allowing alternative assets such as private equity, cryptocurrency, and real estate to enter workplace retirement plans. However, some investor advocacy groups warn that while these new investments may offer enticing returns, they also pose significant risks to long-term retirement savers.Jerry Schlichter, founding partner of the law firm Schlichter Bogard, which specializes in high-fee 401(k) litigation, stated, "The goal of ordinary people is to have a safe and reliable retirement plan, and new areas like cryptocurrency or private equity are fraught with various dangers for investors."Investment experts typically recommend allocating core long-term investment portfolios in diversified assets that can provide stable returns over the long term (at least several decades). Jerry Schlichter pointed out that given the long-term upward trend of the stock market, broad-based stock index funds are a suitable 401(k) investment choice.The issues with cryptocurrency are evident. Although certain cryptocurrencies have delivered astonishing returns, these assets have existed for too short a time to prove their safety. "Cryptocurrency has no long-term performance history, and its short- to medium-term performance is highly volatile," Schlichter said. "If you don't understand this investment, you shouldn't rely on it as a retirement asset."

ChainCatcher news, according to Bloomberg, Trump will sign an executive order on Thursday to relax investment restrictions on 401(k) retirement accounts. The order will instruct the Department of Labor to reassess the alternative asset investment guidelines under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, allowing alternative assets such as private equity, real estate, and cryptocurrencies to be included in the approximately $12.5 trillion retirement account system. The Department of Labor will also clarify fiduciary responsibilities related to fund management that includes alternative assets.

ChainCatcher news, according to Bloomberg, the White House is preparing an executive order that will provide legal protections for 401(k) retirement plan managers, allowing them to include private market funds, cryptocurrencies, and other alternative assets in their investment options.Blackstone Inc. President Jon Gray stated that once the U.S. paves the way for 401(k) plans to expand into investment areas beyond stocks and bonds, leading firms in the alternative asset industry are most likely to benefit. This move will bring significant changes to the U.S. retirement savings market, providing ordinary investors with more diversified investment channels, while also potentially creating new business growth opportunities for large private equity management firms.

ChainCatcher News, the U.S. Department of Labor has officially rescinded its 2022 guidance that warned fiduciaries against including cryptocurrencies in 401(k) retirement plans. The previous stance called for "extreme caution," which was a departure from the Department's long-standing neutral approach under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer criticized the previous position as excessive government intervention, stating that investment decisions should be made by fiduciaries rather than bureaucrats.This reversal of position signifies the Department's return to a neutral stance—neither encouraging nor discouraging the inclusion of crypto assets in retirement plans.

ChainCatcher news, State Street's Anna Paglia plans to push ETFs into the U.S. 401(k) retirement system. State Street's Chief Business Officer Anna Paglia stated in an interview with Bloomberg Television that the bank is working closely with regulators, investors, and plan sponsors to overcome technical and regulatory barriers to allow ETFs into 401(k) plans. She believes that ETFs can play an important role in retirement portfolios, even though the current 401(k) system primarily relies on mutual funds. Paglia joined State Street in February of this year, previously serving as the global head of ETFs at Invesco. She firmly believes that the low cost and tax efficiency of ETFs are their advantages, even though capital gains taxes do not apply to 401(k)s, and intraday liquidity is not necessary in retirement accounts.

ChainCatcher news, according to Coindesk, U.S. Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville plans to introduce legislation on Wednesday that would restrict employers and investment firms from including cryptocurrency investments in 401(k) retirement benefit plans. (Source link)

ChainCatcher news, according to Cointelegraph, U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis stated in an interview that she remains firmly supportive of Bitcoin as part of a diversified retirement plan and hopes to see the asset included in the U.S. 401(k) retirement plans.It is reported that Lummis is one of the few politicians in the U.S. who openly supports cryptocurrency, and she has been advocating for progressive cryptocurrency regulatory policies alongside Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. Meanwhile, Senators on Capitol Hill such as Elizabeth Warren, Tina Smith, and Richard Durbin have called for Fidelity Investments to retract its 401(k) retirement products related to BTC, taking advantage of the recent turmoil in the crypto market. (Cointelegraph)