Trump’s Executive Order to Open 401(k) Access to Crypto and Gold Boosts Bitcoin and XRP

U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to sign a landmark executive order that would allow retirement accounts like 401(k)s to invest in alternative assets, including cryptocurrencies, according to the Financial Times. The move could be made official as early as this week.

The executive order would direct financial regulators to eliminate existing barriers that limit retirement accounts to traditional investments like stocks and bonds. Under the proposed changes, individuals could gain exposure to digital assets such as Bitcoin, alongside other non-traditional assets like gold and private equity, through their retirement savings plans.

The news sparked immediate market reactions. Bitcoin (BTC) surged past $120,000, gaining 1.7% over the past 24 hours. XRP also soared, breaking its previous all-time high from 2018 and signaling strong investor enthusiasm for expanding crypto adoption in mainstream finance.

The policy shift would represent a major milestone for digital asset adoption in the United States, potentially unlocking billions in retirement capital for the crypto sector. Supporters argue that diversifying retirement portfolios with assets like BTC and XRP could improve long-term risk-adjusted returns, especially as inflation and macroeconomic uncertainty persist.

Meanwhile, lawmakers are also accelerating regulatory efforts in parallel. Representative Bryan Steil emphasized the need to finalize the Digital Asset Market Structure Bill "way before" the next midterm elections, signaling continued bipartisan momentum to bring clarity to crypto regulation.

As digital assets gain political and institutional backing, the potential for long-term growth in the crypto market appears to be strengthening. If signed, Trump’s order could mark a historic turning point for how Americans invest for retirement—and how cryptocurrencies are integrated into the broader financial system.