🚀 401(k) Greenlight Triggers $572M Flood Into Ethereum & Bitcoin—Retirement Goes Crypto

Wall Street’s favorite retirement plan just got a crypto injection—and the numbers don’t lie.

The 401(k) Effect: Institutional Money Talks

With regulatory approval clearing the path, $572 million surged into Bitcoin and Ethereum this week. Suddenly, grandma’s retirement portfolio smells like a bull market.

ETH vs. BTC: The Inflow Showdown

While Bitcoin remains the safe-haven darling, Ethereum’s smart contract edge is pulling institutional weight. Guess even boomers want exposure to DeFi yields—just don’t tell them about gas fees.

The Fine Print Nobody Reads

Yes, this means your financial advisor will now pitch crypto alongside mutual funds with a 2% expense ratio. Progress? Sure. Irony? Absolutely.

What’s Next: Moon or Correction?

The floodgates are open, but remember—Wall Street’s late to the party, as usual. Buckle up for volatility (and maybe a side-eye from the SEC).

Significant Inflows Following 401(k) Crypto Approval

In the latest market update, CoinShares reports a notable shift in digital asset fund flows, driven by the U.S. government's decision to allow cryptocurrencies in 401(k) retirement plans. This approval has sparked a substantial inflow of US$572 million, reversing earlier outflows of US$1 billion that resulted from concerns over weak U.S. payroll data.

Ethereum and Bitcoin Lead the Rebound

Ethereum Exchange-Traded Products (ETPs) emerged as the frontrunners, with an impressive US$268 million in inflows. This surge has propelled year-to-date inflows to a record US$8.2 billion, and assets under management (AUM) have reached an all-time high of US$32.6 billion, marking an 82% increase for 2025. Bitcoin (BTC), after experiencing two consecutive weeks of outflows, rebounded with US$260 million in inflows.

Altcoins and Regional Trends

Several altcoins also witnessed positive momentum, with Solana, XRP, and NEAR attracting inflows of US$21.8 million, US$18.4 million, and US$10.1 million, respectively. Regionally, the U.S. and Canada saw inflows of US$608 million and US$16.5 million, while European markets, particularly Germany, Sweden, and Switzerland, experienced outflows totaling US$54.3 million.

Market Context and Future Outlook

The overall volume of digital asset ETPs was 23% lower than the previous month, likely due to seasonal quietness. Despite this, the recent inflow surge underscores the growing institutional interest in cryptocurrencies, particularly as traditional investment vehicles begin incorporating digital assets. This shift could pave the way for further integration of cryptocurrencies into mainstream financial products.

For additional insights and detailed analysis, visit CoinShares' official report.

• cryptocurrency
• ethereum
• bitcoin
• 401k