Can you hold crypto in an IRA or 401(k)?

Yes, you can hold crypto in an IRA, and in some cases in a 401(k). An IRA (individual retirement arrangement) can hold crypto if the provider you use supports it. A 401(k) can offer crypto only if the employer's plan includes it as an option, and US policy on that question has changed several times since 2022.

Can you have a crypto IRA account?

The IRS does not keep a list of approved investments for retirement accounts. It does bar IRAs from holding life insurance and collectibles, such as art, antiques, gems, coins and alcoholic beverages, and it limits precious metals to those meeting specific requirements. Crypto is not named in those banned categories.

In practice, a crypto IRA is an ordinary IRA held with a provider that supports digital assets. Some large brokerages now offer this. For example, Fidelity's help pages describe a crypto option for traditional, Roth and rollover IRAs that, as of October 2026, supports four coins and is not available in every state. Other options include self-directed IRAs held with specialist custodians. An investor alert on the SEC's Investor.gov site warns that self-directed IRA custodians generally do not check the quality or legitimacy of what you invest in.

How does a Roth crypto IRA work?

The tax treatment follows the account type, not the asset. Contributions to a traditional IRA may be tax deductible, and earnings are not taxed until you withdraw them. Contributions to a Roth IRA are not deductible, but qualified withdrawals are tax-free if you meet the requirements. Outside a retirement account, crypto sales follow the rules in how crypto is taxed in the US.

Can you hold crypto in a 401(k)?

Only if your employer's plan offers it. On March 10, 2022, the Department of Labor, which oversees workplace plans, told plan fiduciaries to use "extreme care" before adding crypto. On May 28, 2025, it rescinded that guidance and said it would neither endorse nor oppose crypto, leaving the choice to plan fiduciaries.

What did the crypto 401(k) executive order do?

On August 7, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14330 on alternative assets in 401(k) and similar plans. Its definition of alternative assets includes actively managed investment vehicles that invest in digital assets, alongside private market investments, real estate and commodities. It gave the Labor Secretary 180 days to reexamine guidance for fiduciaries. On March 30, 2026, the department proposed a rule setting out a process fiduciaries can follow when choosing plan investments, describing it as neutral toward all asset classes. The department's release described it as a proposed rule, not a final one.

The Labor Department's 2022 release cited volatility, fraud risk and valuation problems as reasons for caution. For background, see why crypto is so volatile and what to know before investing in crypto.

Rules differ by country and change often. Check the tax authority or a qualified professional for your own situation.