A new annual survey from the National Institute on Retirement Security found that 77% of respondents view cryptocurrency investments in workplace retirement plans, or 401(k)s, as risky. Within that group, 46% said such investments are "very risky," while 53% said they oppose employers offering crypto as an investment option in those plans. The survey was released on Aug. 26. The findings arrive as US policy on digital assets in retirement plans remains under review. The Trump administration issued an executive order in August 2025 directing the Department of Labor to revisit its guidance on digital assets. In March 2026, the department proposed creating a safe harbor rule. Survey data also showed that alternative investments remain rare in 401(k) plans: only 4% of plans currently offer such options, and those allocations account for just 0.1% of assets.

A new survey from the National Institute on Retirement Security found that most Americans remain wary of adding cryptocurrency to workplace retirement plans. According to the poll, 77% of respondents said including crypto in such plans is risky, and 46% described that risk as "very high." Another 53% said they oppose employers offering crypto investment options. The findings come as concerns about retirement security continue to climb. The survey showed that 80% of respondents believe the U.S. is facing a "retirement crisis," up from 67% in 2020. In addition, 61% said they are worried about their own financial security in retirement, 68% said saving for retirement is getting harder, and 77% said debt has hurt their ability to save. The poll was conducted by Greenwald Research from Oct. 24 to Nov. 14, 2025, among 1,203 Americans aged 25 and older. At the same time, U.S. officials and regulators are working to widen access for 401(k) and other retirement accounts to invest in crypto and other alternative assets. In March this year, the U.S. Department of Labor proposed a rule that could create a potential safe harbor for including alternative assets in 401(k) plans, though some Democratic lawmakers opposed the move, citing crypto volatility and limited investor protections.

A new survey from the National Institute on Retirement Security found broad public resistance in the United States to including cryptocurrency in retirement savings plans. According to the poll, 77% of respondents said crypto in retirement plans is risky, including 46% who called it very risky. Another 53% said they oppose employers offering cryptocurrency investment options. The survey also pointed to deeper anxiety around retirement security. Eighty percent of respondents said the U.S. is facing a retirement crisis, up from 67% in 2020, while 61% said they worry they will not have financial security in retirement. Nearly half of Americans reported having less than $100,000 in retirement savings, and 18% said they have no savings at all. The findings come even as U.S. policy has shifted. The Labor Department withdrew its earlier guidance in May 2025 that had urged “extreme care” around adding crypto to 401(k) plans, and President Donald Trump signed an executive order in August 2025 directing that retirement plans be allowed to invest in alternative assets, including crypto funds. Even so, public acceptance remains limited, and 84% of respondents said Washington policymakers do not understand their retirement struggles.

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 survey from the National Institute on Retirement Security found broad skepticism among Americans about adding cryptocurrency to workplace retirement plans. The poll showed that 77% of respondents view crypto in such plans as risky, including 46% who said it is very risky. More than half, 53%, said they oppose employers offering cryptocurrency investment options. The survey also pointed to wider retirement concerns. Eighty percent of respondents said the United States is facing a retirement crisis, up from 67% in 2020. Another 61% said they are worried about achieving financial security in retirement, while 68% said preparing for retirement is becoming harder and 77% said debt is preventing them from saving enough. The findings come as U.S. policymakers push to expand access to alternative assets in retirement plans such as 401(k)s. The Labor Department withdrew prior cautionary guidance in May 2025. On Aug. 7, Donald Trump signed an executive order calling for broader access to alternative assets in defined contribution plans and directed the Labor Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission to study possible regulatory changes.

Microsoft Technology Licensing has secured a WIPO patent for a cryptocurrency mining system that uses human body activity data, such as brain waves and body heat, as proof-of-work. The system aims to reduce energy consumption and allow users to mine coins unconsciously while performing online tasks.

Microsoft Technology Licensing has been granted a patent for a cryptocurrency system that uses human body activity data, such as brain waves and body heat, generated during online tasks like browsing or watching ads, to mine digital coins efficiently.

Microsoft Technology Licensing has obtained an international patent for a cryptocurrency mining system that leverages human body activity data such as brain waves and body heat. The system can reduce computational energy and allow users to mine cryptocurrencies unconsciously while performing online tasks.