77% of Americans see crypto in retirement plans as risky: Survey
Reported by Cointelegraph · AI-assisted summary by ChikoCorp AI News Desk
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Summary
A survey by The National Institute on Retirement Security found that 77% of Americans perceive including cryptocurrency in workplace retirement plans as risky, with 46% viewing it as very risky. Additionally, 53% oppose offering crypto as an investment option in such plans. The survey also highlighted growing concerns about retirement security, affordability, and debt affecting savings.
Why it matters
The survey reflects widespread public skepticism toward cryptocurrency as a retirement investment amidst growing awareness of a US retirement crisis. This matters as US policymakers, including the Trump administration and the Department of Labor, have moved to broaden access to alternative assets such as crypto in retirement accounts, creating tension between evolving regulations and investor sentiment.
Key context
Previously, the US Department of Labor advised caution regarding crypto in 401(k) plans but rescinded this guidance in May 2025, adopting a neutral stance. In August 2025, President Trump signed an executive order promoting alternative assets in retirement plans and directed regulatory agencies to facilitate access. In March 2026, the Labor Department proposed rules to govern inclusion of alternative assets in 401(k)s, but some lawmakers have opposed the proposal citing crypto’s volatility and investor protections.
Key numbers and entities
The survey included 1,203 Americans aged 25 and older, conducted between October 24 and November 14, 2025. Key figures: 77% view crypto as risky in retirement plans, 53% oppose employer offering of crypto, 80% see a retirement crisis, 68% find retirement preparation harder, and 77% cite debt as a savings obstacle. Entities: The National Institute on Retirement Security, US Department of Labor, President Donald Trump, Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, Representative Bobby Scott.
What remains unclear
The source does not specify how employers or plan administrators are currently responding to participant risk perceptions about crypto in retirement plans. It also does not clarify the survey respondents’ demographic breakdown beyond weighting or detail the precise investment vehicles under consideration for retirement accounts. The actual adoption volume or performance of crypto within retirement plans is not discussed.