Can You Plan Your Retirement With Ethereum?

Preparing today for your future life is crucial as you risk running out of money, so you must gauge a sustainable withdrawal rate. The amount you’ll need in retirement is unique to you, so to figure out how much you’ll need to save, divide your desired annual percentage retirement income by 4%. Your best bet is to boost your retirement savings.

When you make the transition from saving money to investing for retirement, your moves need to reflect your new goals. Most people share the same goals, namely basic necessities, “just in case” savings, fun stuff, and legacy. 

If you want to combine your cryptocurrency investments with your retirement savings, you’re not the only one. A significant number of Gen Z and Millennial investors want to see digital assets become part of their retirement plans, challenging traditional approaches to both work and retirement. Cryptocurrencies like Ethereum are regarded as an alternative investment and, in some cases, can be placed in a retirement account. The question now is: Should you plan your retirement with cryptocurrencies? Well, digital assets are a practical option for retirement planning as long as you keep them well-balanced. 

What Is Ethereum and Why Might Retirement Plans Be Interested in Offering It as An Investment?

Ethereum is a decentralized, open-source, and distributed computing platform based on blockchain technology that executes and verifies application code referred to as smart contracts. Ethereum is best known for its cryptocurrency, Ether, which can be used for payment of goods and services at participating merchants and retailers.

Ether is a digital representation of value that leverages cryptography to secure transactions recorded on the distributed ledger. You can buy Ether on popular exchanges like Binance, for which you need a compatible wallet. By and large, you must link your bank account to your wallet and transfer the funds to the exchange to purchase ETH. 

Investment options usually include mutual funds, small- and large-cap funds, bond funds, real estate funds, and target date funds. Until recently, cryptocurrency wasn’t available as an investment option for defined contribution plan participants. Participants whose retirement plan sponsors adopt cryptocurrency can invest up to 5% of their account balances and direct 5% of their contributions to cryptocurrency via a brokerage window.

Retirement plans and their sponsors are interested in offering digital assets as an investment because participants request them as an option. Attention must be paid to the fact that this is a new trend, meaning that it hasn’t yet become widespread. 

What To Consider If You’re Thinking About Putting Cryptocurrency In Your Retirement Account

For many people, retirement is years away, but that doesn’t mean that it’s a good idea to wait too long to start saving. There’s no better time than now to start putting money away. If you’re seriously thinking about adding Ethereum to your retirement account, take into account your age, disposable income, and risk appetite.

A small allocation to digital assets will increase the expected returns without increasing the overall portfolio risk. According to the experts, the crypto part of your total investment should be 10%. This amount is small enough to keep you comfortable in times of high volatility and big enough to have a truly positive impact. 

Cryptocurrency isn’t prohibited as an investment option in 401(k) plans, and there are several choices as far as companies specializing in crypto-backed IRAs are concerned. After having funded your account, you can trade tokens like Ether via your self-directed retirement account.

You can plan your retirement if you act smart and accumulate coins; every ETH you gain should be for your future life. Given its radical increases in growth trends and broad applicability in sectors of the global economy, Ethereum can no longer be ignored. Needless to say, don’t be hasty and consult a financial planner before making your first move. 

Can You Buy NFTs With an IRA Or 401k?

NFTs (non-fungible tokens) represents an exciting asset class that offers a store of value and a potential source of revenue. As opposed to cryptocurrencies, NFTs can’t be traded or exchanged at equivalency, which makes them appealing. Most of them are part of the Ethereum blockchain, which stores additional information that enables them to function differently from cryptocurrencies. The distinct piece is infinitely replicable, yet the true owner is the person who retains the value of that collectible. It doesn’t capture the smart contract associated with the NFT. The uniqueness of the NFT resides in its metadata, so there’s no way to forge ownership. 

There are no explicit rules on whether retirement accounts can invest and hold NFTs, so it’s prudent to proceed with caution. You can purchase any cryptocurrency, including Ethereum, with your retirement fund, but NFTs are off-limits, at least for now. With the growth of NFT trading, we can expect authorities to issue guidance on NFTs’ tax status in the upcoming years.

If you’re taking into consideration the possibility of investing in NFTs, it would be best to reach out to a financial advisor. In the meantime, leave your retirement funds invested in ETH. There’s hope in cryptocurrencies, and with time, they’ll become more accepted in the retirement investment space. 

Closing Thoughts 

You’re most responsible for your retirement savings, so determine how much income you need. Not all investments are created equal, so you must build an income strategy that starts with a realistic look at what you’d like to accomplish. Cryptocurrency is one of the latest investing trends, so you may be left wondering if it’s a good idea to include digital assets in your retirement planning. Ethereum, in particular, can be a lucrative investment. Before you buy, make sure to do your research to have a guarantee you’re investing with real-world utility and potential for long-term growth. 

All in all, it’s advisable to have some cash at hand. If you run into unexpected expenses, you’ll want to avoid reaching into your savings to cover the costs. Living without a safety net means you won’t get by in a crisis.