New York AG pushes prohibition of crypto purchases via retirement funds
The NYAG clarified that digital assets differ from blockchain technology, and it has no issues with citizens purchasing stakes in publicly traded blockchain-based businesses in retirement accounts. The turmoil surrounding crypto exchange FTX and Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) reaffirmed regulators’ belief about the need for stricter oversight across the crypto ecosystem. Seeking investor protection against a similar fallout, New York Attorney General (NYAG) Letitia James recommended prohibit ing crypto investments in defined contribution plans and individual retirement accounts (IRAs). In a letter addressed to the members of the U.S. Congress, James requested legislation that would bar United States citizens from purchasing cryptocurrencies and digital assets using their funds in IRAs and defined contribution plans such as 401(k) and 457 plans. However, a survey from October 2022 showed that nearly 50% of U.S.-based investors want to see crypto become a part of their 401(k) retirement pl...