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Paul Atkins Pushes for Crypto Integration in the 401(k) Market
US SEC Chairman Paul Atkins has advocated for digital assets to gain mainstream status in the $12.5 trillion 401(k) market. Atkins clarified his position on a CNBC Squawk Box interviewnoting that the market is ripe for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as US workers already have indirect exposure to digital assets.
According to Atkins, digital assets in 401(k) retirement accounts will be professionally managed to mitigate risk. He noted that ordinary workers should have the same investment options as large pension funds and institutional investors.
“We want to give people access to 401(k) through professional management,” Atkins said. “I think the time is right to move forward with that in a measured way, with guardrails to protect retirees.”
However, Atkins indicated that cryptocurrencies in 401(k) accounts are not a priority for the SEC, which is now focusing on private securities and pension fund stocks.
 In August 2025, US President Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to grant permission 401(k) retirement plans. While the order did not immediately change the rules, experts noted that it created a regulatory pathway for the Department of Labor and the SEC to issue guidance.
However, the move sparked criticism among US Democrats, with Elizabeth Warren warning that Bitcoin’s volatility could hurt retirement accounts. Warren cited a lack of transparency in the industry and the potential conflicts of interest that arise from allowing cryptocurrencies in 401(k) accounts.
CFTC and SEC work together
During the meeting, the SEC confirmed a partnership with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to relaunch Project Crypto. Both regulators describe Project Crypto as a joint policy initiative to prepare US financial markets for the digital age.
Under this initiative, the SEC and the CFTC pledge to issue clear regulations to guide market participants dealing with cryptocurrencies. According to the joint statement, the rules will address material risks while remaining flexible to adapt to industry changes and align with legal principles.
“We must act quickly to improve our rules and regulations to accommodate blockchain technology, digital assets and upcoming legislation, or we risk ceding these emerging markets to foreign regimes,” the statement said.
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