TL;DR
- 77% of Americans consider cryptocurrency in workplace retirement plans risky, while 53% oppose employers offering it as an investment option.
- Retirement insecurity is also rising, with 80% saying the U.S. faces a retirement crisis and 77% citing debt as a barrier to saving.
- Federal policy is expanding access to alternative assets, creating a growing debate over how crypto can be included in retirement plans responsibly.
More than three-quarters of Americans view cryptocurrency in workplace retirement plans as risky, according to a National Institute on Retirement Security survey, highlighting a gap between public caution and Washington’s push to broaden access to alternative investments.
The NIRS survey found that 77% of respondents consider crypto in workplace retirement plans risky, including 46% who describe it as very risky. Meanwhile, 53% oppose employers offering crypto as an investment option. The findings arrive as retirement insecurity grows, with 80% saying the United States faces a retirement crisis.
Retirement Security Takes Center Stage
The survey points to financial pressures extending beyond crypto. Sixty-eight percent said preparing for retirement is becoming harder, while 77% said debt prevents them from saving enough. Workers may therefore be reluctant to place volatile assets inside retirement accounts.
Still, the debate is not simply about whether cryptocurrency is safe or risky. Bitcoin and other digital assets can behave differently from traditional stocks and bonds, creating higher drawdown risk but also potential diversification benefits. The key questions for retirement plans are how much exposure is appropriate, which product is used, and how fees, liquidity, custody and valuation are handled.
The survey was conducted by Greenwald Research from Oct. 24 through Nov. 14, 2025, among 1,203 Americans aged 25 and older. Results were weighted by age, gender and income.
Cryptocurrency Access Expands Under New Rules
Federal policy is moving away from the survey’s caution. In May 2025, the Department of Labor rescinded guidance that had urged fiduciaries to exercise “extreme care” before considering cryptocurrency options in 401(k) plans, restoring a more neutral approach toward digital assets.
President Donald Trump’s Aug. 7, 2025 executive order directed agencies to expand access to alternative assets in defined-contribution plans, including investment vehicles holding digital assets. In March 2026, the Labor Department proposed rules offering process-based safe harbors for fiduciaries evaluating alternative investments, with factors including fees, liquidity, valuation, performance and complexity.
The shift also reflects a maturing crypto market. The SEC approved spot Bitcoin exchange-traded products in January 2024, giving investors a regulated vehicle for Bitcoin exposure without requiring direct wallet custody. That gives retirement-plan sponsors additional structures to evaluate.
