With clearer regulatory policies paving the way for the integration of cryptocurrencies, the U.S. 401(k) retirement market is poised for a structural shift. Following the U.S. Department of Labor overturning its restrictive guidance in 2022 and an administrative order in 2025 mandating the inclusion of alternative assets, the upcoming trustee safe harbor rules are expected to further promote the inclusion of cryptocurrencies. Although the adoption of cryptocurrencies will be a gradual process, the market's $10 trillion size and stable investment flows make 2026 a critical year for cryptocurrencies to officially enter the core of the U.S. retirement system.