A Republican lawmaker is pushing to make cryptocurrency a bigger part of Americans’ retirement savings. Rep. Troy Downing (R-MT) is set to introduce the Retirement Investment Choice Act, a bill designed to give legal backing to former President Donald Trump’s executive order that encouraged the inclusion of digital assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum in 401(k) retirement plans.
If passed, this legislation could dramatically expand access to crypto investing within the $25 trillion U.S. retirement industry—potentially sending billions into the digital asset market and signaling a major shift in how Americans plan for their financial futures.
What the Retirement Investment Choice Act Would Do
The proposed bill would turn Trump’s August 2024 executive order into federal law, giving it permanent authority. The move would allow Americans to allocate a portion of their 401(k) or other tax-advantaged retirement savings into alternative assets, including cryptocurrencies.
Right now, access to crypto through retirement plans is extremely limited. Only a few Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs are currently available on Wall Street, and most retirement account providers restrict exposure to these types of assets. By codifying the executive order, the bill aims to give savers more options—and help modernize outdated investment rules.
Rep. Downing described crypto and other alternative investments as “transformative,” arguing that greater choice will help Americans build more resilient retirement portfolios. He also praised Trump for “democratizing finance” and removing gatekeepers that limit financial freedom.
Why This Could Be a Turning Point for Crypto in Retirement
The U.S. retirement market is massive—estimated at over $25 trillion. Even a small shift in allocation toward digital assets could bring billions of new capital into the crypto sector. That potential has excited crypto advocates and industry leaders who see retirement investing as the next major frontier for blockchain adoption.
The bill also arrives at a time when more crypto-related products are expected to hit the market, making it easier for average investors to gain exposure. If the legislation passes, it could accelerate mainstream adoption of crypto and establish Bitcoin and Ethereum as standard components of long-term financial planning.
As the political conversation around digital assets heats up heading into 2025, the Retirement Investment Choice Act could become a landmark moment—not just for crypto, but for the future of retirement in the United States.
