Senator Elizabeth Warren Demands Answers From Fidelity for Allowing Bitcoin in Retirement Plans

US Senator Elizabeth Warren Demands Answers From Fidelity Over Its Decision to Allow Bitcoin in Retirement Plans

Two U.S. senators, together with Elizabeth Warren, have despatched a letter to Fidelity Investments demanding solutions concerning the corporate’s determination to permit bitcoin investments in 401(ok) retirement plans. “Investing in cryptocurrencies is a dangerous and speculative gamble, and we’re involved that Fidelity would take these dangers with thousands and thousands of Americans’ retirement financial savings,” the lawmakers wrote.

US Lawmakers Concerned About Fidelity Allowing Bitcoin Investments in 401(ok) Plans

U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) has despatched a letter to Abigail Johnson, the CEO of Fidelity Investments, questioning the monetary providers big’s plan to allow bitcoin investments in 401(ok) accounts. The letter, dated May 4, can also be signed by U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN).

The lawmakers wrote:

We write to inquire in regards to the appropriateness of your organization’s determination so as to add bitcoin to its 401(ok) funding plan menu and the actions you’ll take to handle ‘the numerous dangers of fraud, theft and loss’ posed by these property.

The letter notes that Fidelity’s announcement followed the Department of Labor expressing “critical considerations” about cryptocurrency funding choices in 401(ok) plans, citing “vital dangers of fraud, theft and loss” posed by crypto property.

Senators Warren and Smith careworn:

In brief, investing in cryptocurrencies is a dangerous and speculative gamble, and we’re involved that Fidelity would take these dangers with thousands and thousands of Americans’ retirement financial savings.

The two senators proceeded to spotlight the volatility of bitcoin in comparison with shares within the S&P 500. They additionally famous that the worth of the cryptocurrency was influenced by Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s tweets and the “excessive focus of bitcoin possession and mining exacerbates these volatility dangers.”

The lawmakers moreover warned:

We are additionally involved about Fidelity’s potential conflicts of curiosity and the extent to which they might have affected the choice to supply bitcoin.

The letter references Fidelity’s announcement in 2017 that it had been mining cryptocurrency. Since then, the monetary providers agency has ramped up its crypto choices, together with providing its personal crypto fund for rich prospects.

With the most recent announcement, the senators mentioned: “Fidelity has determined to maneuver full pace forward with supporting bitcoin investments,” claiming that the agency is doing so “Despite an absence of demand for this feature — solely 2% of employers expressed curiosity in including cryptocurrency to their 401(ok) menu.”

In conclusion, the 2 senators requested Fidelity 5 questions and requested solutions by May 18. They wish to know why Fidelity ignores the Labor Department’s crypto warning, the main points of the corporate’s bitcoin danger evaluation, the charges prospects will incur, how Fidelity addresses its personal conflicts of curiosity, and the way a lot the corporate has earned from crypto mining actions.

What do you concentrate on Senator Elizabeth Warren questioning Fidelity on its determination to permit bitcoin investments in retirement accounts? Let us know within the feedback part beneath.

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