A new survey from the National Institute on Retirement Security found broad skepticism toward cryptocurrency in workplace retirement plans in the United States. According to the poll, 77% of Americans said crypto in employer-sponsored retirement plans is risky, and 46% said it is very risky. Another 53% said they oppose employers offering cryptocurrency as an investment option.
The survey was conducted by Greenwald Research between Oct. 24 and Nov. 14, 2025, and covered 1,203 Americans aged 25 and older. It also found deeper anxiety around retirement more broadly: 80% of respondents said the United States is facing a retirement crisis, up from 67% in 2020. In addition, 61% said they are worried about achieving financial security in retirement, 68% said preparing for retirement has become more difficult, and 77% said debt is preventing them from saving enough.
The findings come as the Trump administration and federal regulators move to expand access to alternative assets in retirement accounts. The U.S. Department of Labor withdrew its earlier guidance in May 2025 that had urged 401(k) fiduciaries to exercise "extreme care" with crypto investments. Trump later signed an executive order on Aug. 7, 2025, directing the Labor Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission to consider easing restrictions. In March 2026, the Labor Department proposed draft rules to allow alternative assets in 401(k) plans, drawing opposition from senators including Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren.
A new survey from the National Institute on Retirement Security, or NIRS, found that 77% of Americans view cryptocurrency in workplace retirement plans as risky. Within that group, 46% said the risk is very high, while 53% said they oppose employers offering crypto as an investment option.
The survey was conducted by Greenwald Research from Oct. 24 to Nov. 14, 2025, and included 1,203 Americans aged 25 and older.
Retirement concerns remain widespread
The poll also showed that 80% of respondents believe the United States is facing a retirement crisis, up from 67% in 2020. Another 61% said they are concerned about achieving financial security after retirement, 68% said preparing for retirement has become more difficult, and 77% said debt is preventing them from saving enough.
Policy direction shifts on alternative assets
The findings come as the Trump administration and federal regulators push to expand access to alternative assets inside retirement accounts.
In May 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor withdrew earlier guidance that had urged 401(k) fiduciaries to exercise "extreme care" with cryptocurrency investments. Trump then signed an executive order on Aug. 7, 2025, directing the Labor Department and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, to consider loosening restrictions.
In March 2026, the Labor Department proposed draft rules that would allow 401(k) plans to include alternative assets. The proposal drew opposition from lawmakers including Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren.
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