Regulatory Push vs Public Skepticism: Crypto in Retirement Plans Under Scrutiny

A recent survey by the National Institute on Retirement Security reveals that most Americans are opposed to including cryptocurrency in their workplace retirement plans. The poll found that 53% of respondents were against employers offering crypto as an investment option, with 77% describing such investments as 'risky' and 46% calling them 'very risky'. This sentiment extends beyond those who already own crypto, as only 10% of US adults reported using or holding it in 2025.

The resistance to crypto in retirement plans is particularly concerning given the broader challenges facing American savers. The survey found that 80% of respondents believe the country faces a retirement crisis, with many worrying about achieving financial security once they stop working. The median retirement savings balance across the workforce sits below $1,000, and only around 17% of workers have access to a traditional pension.

Federal regulators, however, are moving in the opposite direction. In 2025, the Department of Labor withdrew guidance that discouraged fiduciaries from adding crypto to investment menus, and in March 2026, the department proposed a new rule that would allow fiduciaries to evaluate alternative assets, including crypto, for workplace retirement plans.