Key Takeaways
- The Department of Labor recently removed guidance cautioning against holding cryptocurrencies in retirement savings accounts.
- Financial experts say adding crypto may be right for retirement savers with a high risk tolerance who will not need their retirement funds for many years.
- Fidelity is the only major U.S. financial institution allowing crypto to be held and invested in retirement accounts, but there are also a few specialized crypto 401(k) providers.
- Although crypto holdings in a 401(k) account could yield significant gains, there are several disadvantages to consider, experts warn.
As the government removes warnings on holding cryptocurrency in retirement accounts,🌟 some savers might consider now a gooᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚd time to include the virtual asset in their portfolio.
The Department of Labor (DOL) last week rescinded guidance that called for employers to use “extreme caution” when including the option to hold cryptocurrency in ret✱irement accounts.
Some financial experts said the change likely won't sway retirement savers in either direction. However, many suggest you consider your retirement timeline and risk tolerance if you want to add crypto to your retirement account assets.
Should You Hold Crypto in Your 401(k) Account?
The reward may outweigh the risk.
It diversifies your portfolio.
The risk is high.
Investment options are limited.
It doesn't accrue interest or dividends like traditional accounts.
The Pros To Holding Crypto in a 401(k) Account
The biggest reason people might consider holding crypto in a retirement account is that the payoff could be t🍃remendous.
For example, the price of bitcoin has risen by more than 11% so far this year. At the same time, the S&P 500 has only grown 2%. However, that's not always guaranteed, as bitcoin has had one of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:most volatile trading histories across asset classes.
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Investopedia / Alice Morgan
"It makes the most sense for those with long horizons, an informed view of the market, and the financial flexibility to withstand downturns without jeopardizing retirement security," said Kwamie Dunbar, associate professor of finance at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Another appeal to holding crypto in your retirement account is the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:diversification it brings to your portfolio, said David Yermack, director of the New York University Pollack Center for Law a🔴nd Business.
"Ideally, an investor should be as diversified as possible, and crypto should be treated the same as any other asset, including stocks, bonds, real estate, commodities, and so forth," Yermack said.
The Cons To Holding Crypto in a 401(k) Account
Unlike traditional 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:fixed income or equity assets, most crypto options don't accrue interest or dividends while sitting in a retirement accoꦬunt, Dunbar said. But experts say the biggest downside of holding crypto in your retirement account 🎉is the risk that could come from it.
Cryptocurrencies are considered unstableꩲ and subject to drastic price swings.
"Anyone who invests in crypto should recognize that it has historically suffered a number of sudden, steep price drops," said Yermack, who also said that retirement savers contemplating crypto holdings should know "they could lose most of the investment very quickly."
If a large percentage of your assets are in crypto and it goes down, that could tank your 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:retirement savings. Because of this, Yermack suggests only holding a small amount of crᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚypt⛦o in your retirement account if you decide it's the right fit for your plans.
"Cryptocurrencies are highly volatile. For younger investors or those with a higher risk appetite, crypto may serve as a speculative growth component within a diversified retirement portfolio," Dunbar said. "For older investors closer to retirement, where 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:capital preservation and income are paramount, crypto’s volaꦓtility may outweighꦗ its benefits."