August 2025
25Aug

US. Bitcoin 401(k)s thrill crypto investors but carry serious risks

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Aug. 7, allowing crypto in 401(k) retirement plans. The crypto industry has called the move a win for adoption, but investment professionals warn it comes with significant risk. The order “Democratizing Access to Alternative Assets for 401(k) Investors” directed US financial regulators to expand access to crypto and private companies in 401(k) plans. The 401(k) employee-sponsored investment scheme is one of the most popular retirement plans in the US. As of 2024,...

August 25, 2025
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July 2025
18Jul

US. Institutional investors warm to crypto but demand still nascent

Bitcoin's surge to a record this week has reignited questions about the role institutional investors are playing in pushing it higher, with analysts suggesting their role is still in its infancy. The world's largest cryptocurrency earlier this week surged to a record above $123,000, receiving a boost on the expectation of pro-crypto policies from Washington. While buzz around digital assets has increased, there is room for demand from institutional investors to grow as pension funds and other long-term buyers add bitcoin to...

July 18, 2025
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18Jul

When Uncertainties Matter: the Causal Effect of Cryptocurrency Investment on Retirement Hardship Withdrawals

By Zefeng Bai, Pengcheng Wang & hengwei zhang Cryptocurrencies are invested in by approximately 15% of U.S. households. However, the high volatility of these assets poses substantial financial risks, particularly as 40% of U.S. households already face potential retirement shortages. Therefore, the present study aims at investigating the impact of cryptocurrency investment on retirement borrowing. Our causal analysis of 1,912 respondents revealed that cryptocurrency investors are 7.4% more likely to make a hardship withdrawal from their retirement accounts. This study provides...

July 18, 2025
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April 2025
08Apr

South Korea’s National Pension Service Eyes Blockchain for $890B Fund’s Transactions

South Korea’s National Pension Service (NPS), which manages 1,224 trillion won ($836 billion) in assets, plans to look at how a blockchain could be used in its fund transaction systems. The organization is weighing a shift to blockchain technology to boost transparency and security in managing its deposits, withdrawals and investments, according to Seoul Economic Daily, which cited industry sources. The NPS plans to begin a preliminary disclosure process, inviting blockchain experts and companies to weigh in before formally launching the initiative, the news...

April 8, 2025
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December 2024
09Dec

US. Florida to invest $1.85B from pension fund in Bitcoin

Florida plans to invest $1.85 billion from its pension fund into Bitcoin to take the lead in using cryptocurrency, with support from state leaders and the Florida Blockchain Business Association. Florida is planning to invest $1.85 billion from its state pension fund into Bitcoin, aiming to lead in cryptocurrency adoption. Backed by the Florida Blockchain Business Association (FBBA) and pro-crypto leaders, this move could change how states use digital assets in their financial plans. Florida to invest $1.85 billion in Bitcoin Florida’s $185.7...

December 9, 2024
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04Dec

UK. The case for pension scheme investment in Bitcoin

In this article, Sam Roberts, the director of investment consulting at the scheme's adviser, Cartwright, explains why he believes Bitcoin has now evolved from a niche digital asset into a mainstream investment opportunity… Remember what they said about the following … Facebook...? It will never take off... a passing trend… no long-term growth. The reality was it became one of the largest social media platforms worldwide, a multibillion-dollar company, and paved the way for social media as we know it. ...

December 4, 2024
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02Dec

UK. DWP exact amount pensioners can have in savings before losing benefits

Some Department for Work and Pension benefits come with a list of eligibility criteria they have to meet, sometimes including having less than a certain amount in savings. This includes Universal Credit, Tax Credits, Council Tax Support, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support and Housing Benefit. These are dubbed means-tested benefits and their savings requirements extend past the state pension age for Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support. Each of these benefits have their...

December 2, 2024
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November 2024
28Nov

UK. Pension scheme panned for reportedly taking Bitcoin position

An unnamed UK pension scheme has sparked controversy after investing 3% of its assets in Bitcoin, becoming the first in the country to do so, according to Sky News. The move has been criticised and called "deeply irresponsible" with the warning that it risks retirees' futures by speculating in volatile assets. The pension scheme's advisor, Cartwright, argued that Bitcoin offers diversification and could yield high returns with minimal downside risk. However, critics, including actuary Daniel Wiltshire, caution that pension funds should prioritize long-term stability...

November 28, 2024
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06Nov

First UK pension scheme dives into Bitcoin, but don’t expect a stampede

The first UK pension fund has invested in Bitcoin according to the pension specialists Cartwright with the scheme reportedly allocating 3% of its assets to the cryptocurrency. Laith Khalaf, head of investment analysis at AJ Bell, comments: “It was only a matter of time before a UK pension scheme bought into Bitcoin, but this isn’t likely to spark a stampede into the asset class. Bitcoin is notoriously volatile, and pension scheme trustees are just as notoriously risk averse. Why wouldn’t you be when...

November 6, 2024
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July 2023
27Jul

Pension funds, other institutional investors and wealth managers plan to boost crypto investments

Nearly three out of four (74%) institutional investors and wealth managers questioned say their organisation will increase its level of investment in the sector in the year ahead. Nearly one in five (18%) will dramatically increase investment levels. The study with institutional investors and wealth managers in the US, UK, Germany, Switzerland, Singapore, Brazil and the United Arab Emirates who collectively manage around $3.5 trillion in assets, found growing confidence in the sector in the short and longer term. Nearly nine...

July 27, 2023
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