New Delhi, March 31 -- The United States government on 30 March proposed rules to liberalise retirement plans (i.e. 401(k) accounts) to include alternative assets such as cryptocurrencies and private equity. This is aimed at easing longstanding barriers to incorporating these less liquid and less transparent assets into American retirement plans, the US Department of Labor said in its statement.

The announcement comes after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to this effect last year which cleared the way for alternative asset management firms to tap a large new source of capital, as per a Reuters report.

Industry groups have argued private market investments can enhance long-term returns and diversification for retireme...