Trump Pushes for Crypto in Mortgages and Retirement Funds as U.S. Strategy Expands

White House strategy moves beyond legislation as executive orders and agency action attempt to bring crypto deeper into the American financial mainstream.

A New Phase in U.S. Crypto Integration

The Trump administration is preparing to embed cryptocurrencies into major pillars of the U.S. economy, retirement savings, and home lending, through a sweeping strategy that is rapidly taking shape outside Congress. While legislative efforts face summer delays, policy developments from federal agencies and the White House are pressing forward.

According to sources familiar with the matter and policy documents obtained by CoinDesk, President Donald Trump is expected to issue an executive order that would allow retirement plans such as 401(k)s to invest in digital assets, pending regulatory parameters. 

The move could open the door for tens of millions of Americans to gain exposure to cryptocurrencies through employer-sponsored savings plans.

At the same time, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), led by Trump appointee William Pulte, is pushing to include unconverted crypto holdings as assets eligible for mortgage underwriting. This directive impacts federal mortgage backers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and could fundamentally shift the asset evaluation process for homebuyers.

The Executive Order: Crypto in Retirement Portfolios

The upcoming executive order is expected to instruct the Department of Labor to revise existing rules governing retirement plans to allow for broader diversification, including select digital assets. If implemented, this would represent the most significant step yet toward mainstreaming crypto in long-term investment vehicles.

While the exact assets and custodial safeguards remain unspecified, the directive aligns with the administration’s broader push to designate the U.S. as the “world capital of digital finance.” A major report detailing the administration’s digital asset policy, mandated by a January 2025 order, is expected to be released on Wednesday.

Industry insiders expect the report to touch on federal crypto reserves, tax considerations, and long-term strategies, including the controversial Bitcoin Strategic Reserve initiative, which would involve holding BTC on the federal balance sheet.

Housing Policy Shakeup: Mortgages Backed by Crypto?

Perhaps even more consequential in the near term is the FHFA’s push to treat crypto assets as mortgage-worthy collateral. The move would allow borrowers to include stable crypto holdings, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, or regulated stablecoins, alongside traditional assets when applying for a mortgage backed by federal programs.

But Democratic lawmakers have already voiced strong opposition. In a letter sent to FHFA Director William Pulte, Senator Elizabeth Warren and several Democratic colleagues warned that “expanding underwriting criteria to include the consideration of unconverted cryptocurrency assets could pose risks to the stability of the housing market and the financial system.”

The letter cited crypto’s volatility and the lack of long-term pricing stability as reasons to delay or rethink the initiative.

Legislative Efforts Continue, but Recess Looms

While these executive and agency-level actions progress, legislative crypto policy is facing a summer slowdown. The Senate is currently reviewing a new draft of its market structure bill, which is seen as the companion to the House-approved Digital Asset Market Clarity Act. However, with the August recess approaching, momentum could stall until September.

Trump’s administration did score an earlier legislative win this month with the passage of the GENIUS Act (Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins), the first major federal law recognizing and regulating stablecoins. The success of GENIUS was seen as a bipartisan milestone, despite ongoing Democratic criticism.

Still, industry feedback on the Senate’s draft bill is due by August 5, even though most lawmakers will be out of Washington. Crypto advocates fear that without bipartisan energy, more comprehensive regulation may be deferred until 2026.

Implications: A Crypto-Backed Financial Future?

Taken together, the integration of crypto into 401(k)s, mortgage lending, and potentially federal reserves marks a significant departure from the cautious stance of earlier administrations.

If the executive order moves forward, crypto could gain access to one of the most trusted pillars of American finance, retirement accounts. Americans hold over $7.3 trillion in 401(k) assets. 

Similarly, the inclusion of crypto in home lending criteria, if implemented with proper volatility buffers and conversion rules, could incentivize millions of long-term holders to declare and leverage their assets in real estate transactions.

Despite political controversy, the broader crypto market appears to be responding positively to policy momentum. Major tokens have largely stabilized this week, with Bitcoin hovering around $118,700, and Ethereum eyeing the $4,000 mark.

Looking Ahead: Will the U.S. Become the Crypto Capital?

President Trump has repeatedly stated that the United States must lead in blockchain innovation and financial digitization. These new initiatives push that vision into practical implementation, even if they sidestep Congress for now.

Industry leaders are watching the release of Wednesday’s policy report closely. Whether it includes concrete mechanisms for oversight, taxation, or federal custody remains to be seen. But the signal is clear: crypto is moving from the margins to the mainstream of U.S. economic policy.

As Ethereum regains momentum and the broader market shows signs of recovery, regulatory clarity may provide the next major lift for digital assets. If retirement accounts and housing markets become active players in crypto adoption, the implications could ripple across global finance.