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On August 7, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that is shaking up the retirement investing world.
The new order reverses a Biden-era policy and opens the door for employers to invest 401(k)s in alternative assets, including higher-risk options such as cryptocurrency. About $8.7 trillion of the $43 trillion retirement market is held in defined contribution 401(k) funds, according to the Investment Company Institute.
This news is seen as a huge win for the crypto industry.
“That’s a monster pool of capital,” Michael Novogratz, CEO of Galaxy Digital Holdings — which has the 13th largest bitcoin store in the world — told CNBC. “What we’re seeing … [is] the aperture of being able to buy crypto being widened and widened, [and] more avenues bringing people into the tent.
“When it becomes commonplace — when you can do it at the place you’ve already been doing business with, if it’s Fidelity or T. Rowe Price or whoever it is — you just pull more people into this ecosystem,” he added.
Typically, 401(k)s favor low-risk investments to help guarantee a payout during retirement. Alternative assets like crypto can have higher potential returns, but can carry more risk as well, according to City National Bank. In the week following Trump’s announcement, bitcoin surged to a high of around $124,000 per coin on August 14, before tumbling to about $117,000 that same day.
In 2022, President Biden signed an executive order, “Ensuring Responsible Development of Digital Assets,” which focused on responsible and ethical investing rules for 401(k) plan sponsors, particularly around crypto.
Trump’s order reverses that rule, which means any employer managing a 401(k) can now invest employee contributions into these high-risk investments. However, it also covers more traditional alternative assets like private equity and real estate.
Trump’s executive order follows a broader crypto push by the administration. In July, Trump signed the GENIUS Act into law. The act established guidelines and consumer protections for stablecoins, which are typically tied to assets like currency in a bid to reduce their volatility.
While the news is giving crypto platforms a boost, the change won’t happen instantly, as employers will make internal adjustments to their 401(k) plans at their own pace.
But if you want to start investing in alternative assets now, there are a few options to consider.
Trump is legitimizing crypto in ways no one else would, and this new 401(k) rule is another leap forward in his plan to inflate the crypto market.
But if you don’t want to wait for your employer to start investing your 401(k) in crypto, you can start investing today on your own.
With over 100 million users, one option is to work with Coinbase to dip into the world of crypto. The exchange allows you to trade a variety of coins, including staples like bitcoin and ethereum.
Coinbase provides real-time order books so you can track the market with confidence. They also keep your keys in cold storage, or offline, until you need them for a transaction.
With that being said, it can still be a good idea to keep a hot wallet for housing the funds you plan to spend or trade, rather than accessing your cold wallet during a transaction. This limits the exposure of your core assets, which can be kept secure in Coinbase’s cold storage.
And the best part? You could get up to $200 when you sign up with a new account. All you have to do is verify your account details and make a trade within one year to qualify.
If you want to level up your crypto investing, Coinbase also offers a 3-month free trial for Coinbase One. This account allows you to trade with zero fees on simple trades up to a monthly cap, but requires a $10K stake for the length of your trial.
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Gold is another alternative asset making waves in recent months.
Gold has proven its reliability during this year’s tariff turmoil, rising 25% throughout the first half of 2025. JPMorgan estimates that the precious yellow metal could strike highs of $4,000 per ounce by the second quarter of 2026.
If you’re interested in alternative assets, but not quite ready for the high risk of crypto, gold might be the right place to start. Priority Gold offers an easy way to test this market.
With an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, Priority Gold allows you to convert an existing IRA into a gold IRA with 100% free rollover, free shipping and free storage for up to five years. Qualifying purchases can also receive up to $10,000 in free silver.
Download their free 2025 gold investor bundle to learn if it might be right for you. But remember that gold is often best used as a portfolio diversification tool when it’s combined with other alternative assets.
Another alternative asset you might want to consider is real estate.
If you’re the kind of investor who wants to avoid the hassle of being a landlord or Airbnb host, investing in real estate might feel like it’s not for you — but there are alternative ways to enter this market without the hands-on labor.
For instance, Arrived offers access to shares of SEC-qualified investments in rental homes and vacation rentals, vetted for their appreciation and income potential.
Backed by world-class investors like Jeff Bezos, Arrived makes it easy to add real estate to your portfolio without setting foot inside the property. You can get started with as little as a $100 initial investment — meaning it’s an accessible option for anyone wanting to test out this alternative asset while keeping the risk factor low.
If you’ve got more capital on hand, you could instead consider accessing the $22.5 trillion commercial real estate sector, which has traditionally been limited to elite investors.
First National Realty Partners (FNRP) can help accredited investors diversify their portfolios through grocery-anchored commercial properties — and without the responsibilities of being a landlord.
With a minimum investment of $50,000, investors can own a share of properties leased by national brands like Whole Foods, Kroger and Walmart, which provide essential goods to their communities. Thanks to triple net leases, accredited investors can invest without worrying about burst pipes, midnight maintenance calls or tenant management.
Simply answer a few questions – including how much you would like to invest – to start browsing their full list of available properties.
But for some, especially high earners, real estate is only the first step to making the most of your money.
To truly accelerate your net worth, you need expert guidance across all areas of your wealth — and that’s where the trusted team of financial planners at Range can come in.
For high-earning professionals or households making over $200,000, Range offers a smart, streamlined way to manage your full financial life — especially your real estate investments.
Through a strategic partnership with Engineered Tax Services, Range members receive free cost segmentation analysis and discounted cost segmentation studies. Range advisors will then use the study as part of a member’s tax planning and strategy.
Cost segmentation shortens depreciation timelines — from the standard 27.5–39 years down to just 5–15 years — allowing you to claim significantly larger tax deductions sooner and keep more money in your pocket. Note that only investment properties qualify for segmentation studies.
Range also delivers proactive advice across your entire financial life, including crypto — not just real estate or taxes.
From stock options and tax strategies to real estate and big-picture planning, Range integrates it all under one roof.
With a transparent, flat annual fee — no hidden costs or percentage-of-assets surprises — you can get access to Range’s AI-powered insights and comprehensive guidance to help scale with your wealth.
If you’re curious about the alternative asset market, but just getting started, you might benefit from an advisor’s advice.
After all, a good financial advisor can help shepherd you from your first $100 investment in real estate all the way up to joining the high-earners at the top of the pile.
Advisor.com can quickly match you with an advisor who can guide you through your options. The platform’s advisors are fiduciaries, meaning they are legally obligated to act in your best interest.
Just answer a few questions about your investment timeline and your goals, and Advisor.com will match you with a reputable financial advisor.
Book a free, no-obligation call today to see if they’re the right fit for your needs.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.