Trump signs order to allow crypto and real estate investments in retirement plans

Experts say allowing alternative assets like cryptocurrency in 401(k) portfolios carries a high degree of risk

Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday that aims to allow cryptocurrency and other alternative assets like private equity and real estate to be included in the investments in 401(k) retirement accounts.

The order smooths the way for fund managers to tap into trillions of dollars of Americans' retirement savings. It could open up a vast new funding source to managers of so-called alternative assets outside stocks, bonds and cash, though critics say it also could bring too much risk into retirement investments. Such a move would be a boon for big alternative asset managers by opening the $12tn market for retirement funds, known as defined contribution plans, to their investments.