Final rule allowing cryptocurrencies and other alternative assets into 401(k) retirement plans has been submitted to the White House for review.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s final rule easing restrictions on alternative assets—including private equity, real estate and cryptocurrency—in 401(k) retirement plans was submitted to the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs on Nov. 5 for review, signaling the rule is near completion and formal publication. The draft, proposed March 30, would give fiduciaries a legal safe harbor for adding alternative assets to investment menus if they meet six assessment criteria covering performance, fees, liquidity, valuation, benchmarks and complexity. The rule remains under final review and has not yet taken effect. It matters because it could widen retirement-plan access to crypto and other alternatives, and the next thing to watch is OIRA clearance followed by official publication.