Bitwise CIO says Bitcoin belongs in 401(k)s as Warren seeks SEC answers

Bitwise chief investment officer Matt Hougan argued that Bitcoin should be available for investment and inclusion in 401(k) plans, saying volatility alone is not a reason to ban it, while US Senator Elizabeth Warren pressed the Securities and Exchange Commission for details on how it would mitigate crypto risks.

Hougan made the remarks on Investopedia Express Live and called previous attempts to block Bitcoin investment by management companies like Vanguard and regulators' advice against inclusion in 401(k)s “ridiculous.” He noted that Bitcoin’s price movements over a recent April–October period were smaller than Nvidia’s, citing Nvidia’s low of roughly $94.31 in April and a spike to over $207 by October — a roughly 120% swing — versus Bitcoin’s move from $76,000 to $126,080, a roughly 65% swing.

Warren published an open letter demanding answers from SEC Chair Paul Atkins on how the regulator will account for volatility when valuing crypto holdings for publicly traded companies, with a requested response by Jan. 27. She also asked whether the SEC has assessed manipulative practices in crypto markets and whether it will publish research and educational materials, arguing that crypto’s fees, expenses and volatility could harm retirement savers.

Key Topics

Crypto, Bitcoin, Matt Hougan, Elizabeth Warren, Bitwise