Members of the U.S. House Financial Services Committee have formally urged Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Paul Atkins to modernize securities rules so Americans can include Bitcoin and other digital assets in their 401(k) retirement plans.
The request marks a significant escalation in the push to expand retirement investment options amid growing political support for digital assets.
In a letter sent on December 11, lawmakers argued that current SEC rules are outdated and prevent millions of Americans from accessing emerging asset classes that are increasingly treated as legitimate long-term investments.Â
They emphasized that retirement savers deserve a broader range of choices, including regulated exposure to digital assets such as Bitcoin.
The committee’s appeal directly follows President Donald Trump’s August 2025 executive order titled “Democratizing Access to Alternative Assets for 401(k) Investors.”
The order instructs federal agencies, including the SEC and the Department of Labor (DOL), to expand the list of permissible investments in retirement accounts and remove unnecessary barriers for ordinary savers.
Lawmakers specifically asked the SEC to revise the definition of “accredited investor,” calling it overly restrictive and outdated. They argued that rules limiting investment access based on income or wealth are unfair and prevent ordinary workers from participating in high-growth sectors of the economy.
The letter also urged the SEC to coordinate with the Department of Labor to ensure that any regulatory updates align with new guidelines for retirement plan administrators. Such coordination, they said, is essential to avoid conflicting policies as federal agencies adapt to the rapid growth of digital assets.
Supporters of the initiative say expanding access to Bitcoin and similar assets could enhance portfolio diversification and help Americans build stronger retirement savings. Critics, however, caution that digital assets remain volatile and require strong investor protections.
The SEC has not yet issued a response, but the coordinated push from Congress and the White House signals mounting pressure on regulators to bring U.S. retirement policy in line with evolving financial markets.