Rep. Troy Downing Pushes to Cement Trump’s Retirement Plans Order, Opening 401(k)s to Bitcoin

Republican Congressman Troy Downing (R-MT) is taking President Trump’s recent pro-crypto executive order one step further — by turning it into federal law.

Downing is set to introduce the Retirement Investment Choice Act on Tuesday, a one-page bill that would codify Trump’s August executive order allowing 401(k) providers to offer access to alternative assets like Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.

The move signals a significant step toward integrating digital assets into the core of America’s retirement system — a sector representing over $25 trillion in savings.

Trump’s original order directed that Americans planning for retirement should have access to “alternative investments,” including crypto-exposed products, whenever a plan provider deems them appropriate to enhance returns. Downing’s proposal would elevate that policy from a temporary executive directive to binding federal law, giving it lasting weight beyond Trump’s presidency.

“Alternative investments hold the transformative potential to supercharge the financial security of countless Americans saving for retirement,” Downing said Tuesday. “President Trump has led the way to democratize finance, and I’m proud to ensure this move stands the test of time.”

If the bill passes, it could mark one of the most consequential shifts in U.S. retirement policy in decades — effectively opening the doors for millions of Americans to gain crypto exposure through 401(k)s and IRAs. Analysts suggest that even modest allocations from these funds could funnel billions of dollars into the cryptocurrency ecosystem.

At present, only Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs offer direct exposure to crypto on Wall Street. However, more products — including Solana and Dogecoin ETFs — are reportedly awaiting SEC approval, potentially expanding retirement investment options even further.

Still, passage is far from guaranteed. A similar Trump-era proposal earlier this year to establish a strategic Bitcoin reserve has remained stalled in Congress since March, highlighting the unpredictable path crypto-related legislation continues to face — even under Republican control.

If successful, however, Downing’s bill could mark a historic milestone, permanently embedding crypto within the structure of American retirement savings and solidifying Trump’s crypto-friendly legacy for years to come.