Since gold can’t be printed, and it isn’t tied to a single country, currency or economy, it can provide a safer alternative investment strategy during challenging times. Gold has surged approximately 60% over the past year and skyrocketed by more than 750% in the last 20 years as of December 15 (3).Dalio’s post on X this June also noted that America’s economic problem isn’t unique. Other countries like Japan, the U.K. and China all have similar debt and deficit problems: “I expect a similar debt and currenc ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the growing interest in alternative assets among retail investors, highlighting a shift from traditional stocks and bonds to include assets like gold, private equity, and real estate as part of investment portfolios. Group 1: Alternative Assets Overview - Gold is currently experiencing a historic bull run, with spot prices reaching approximately $4,300 per ounce in October [1] - A survey by Opinium indicates that 21% of retail investors have considered alternative assets, with an additional 5% planning to invest in them [2] - The traditional investment strategy of a 60/40 mix of stocks and bonds is being reconsidered, with suggestions to adjust it to 50/30/20, incorporating 20% in alternative assets for added resilience [1] Group 2: Access and Regulation - Historically, alternative assets like private equity and hedge funds were limited to accredited investors, defined as individuals with a net worth exceeding $1 million or an annual income above $200,000 [3] - An executive order signed by President Trump in August allows certain alternative assets, including private credit and cryptocurrencies, to be included in 401(k) plans, broadening investment options for Americans [5] Group 3: Investment Opportunities - Gold IRAs enable investors to hold physical gold or gold-related assets in retirement accounts, combining tax advantages with the protective benefits of gold [6] - Real estate is highlighted as another popular alternative asset, with platforms like Arrived allowing investments in shares of vacation homes or rental properties, starting from as little as $100 [9] - First National Realty Partners (FNRP) offers accredited investors the chance to invest in grocery-anchored commercial properties with a minimum investment of $50,000, providing essential goods to communities [12] Group 4: Risks and Considerations - Private market funds, while promising higher returns, often come with high fees, limited liquidity, and inconsistent performance, with only two out of 14 private equity and venture capital funds outperforming the S&P 500 since inception as of May 2025 [14] - The potential systemic risks associated with broad retail access to illiquid and opaque assets have been highlighted, raising concerns about financial stability during downturns [16] - Experts recommend that investors consider allocating a small portion (5% to 10%) of their portfolios to alternative assets to balance market resilience with liquidity risks [17][18]

The month-long government shutdown is delaying the Securities and Exchange Commission’s work to make it easier for 401(k) plan managers to include private credit and other alternative assets in their offerings https://t.co/4UtgetzLUU ...

Meanwhile, want to get back to uh SEC Chairman Paul Atkins. We had a little technical snafu. The the government shutdown had nothing to do with it, but I I made a bad joke about that.It's nice to see you, sir. >> Good to see you, too, Andrew. Thanks for having me.>> So, how is this government shutdown affecting you. How do you think it's affecting the markets. I know there's a number of companies that have saw it to go public.Uh, and I imagine there's going to be some delays at the minimum. >> Yes. Well, I ...

Core Viewpoint - The Trump administration is proposing to allow retirement plans like 401(k)s to include private equity and alternative assets, which could benefit high-net-worth investors but may pose challenges for average American savers [1][2]. Group 1: Potential Benefits - The executive order aims to "Democratize Access to Alternative Assets for 401(k) Investors," potentially allowing everyday workers to invest in private companies and other non-publicly traded assets, which could lead to higher returns for average 401(k) investors [2][3]. - Financial experts suggest that this change could provide new investment opportunities that were previously unavailable to regular retirement savers [3]. Group 2: Risks and Concerns - Experts caution that while there is potential for higher returns, there are also significant risks involved, including less visibility into the performance of underlying assets since they are not publicly traded [4]. - The introduction of private equity into 401(k) plans may come with high fees, which contrasts with the current trend of moving towards lower-fee ETFs from higher-fee mutual funds [6]. - The implementation of these new investment options may take time, with the average 401(k) investor unlikely to see these options for several months or even up to a year due to regulatory processes [5].

Market Trends - Investors are increasingly worried about growing government debt [1] - Investors are flocking to alternative assets like precious metals and cryptocurrencies [1] Company Strategy - BlackRock's CEO Larry Fink commented on investor behavior [1]

Private Capital Formation - Private capital formation has been in development for over 30 years, and the industry believes it is still in the early stages, which is constructive for markets [1] - The growth of private capital formation is partly a response to the regulatory structure, especially in private lending and credit, which may be rebalanced in the future [2] - The US boasts a robust capital market and capital formation system, a key strength of the US economy, unlike the European ecosystem [2] - The US private capital formation ecosystem benefits from risk-taking and broad participation of retail investors, driving the strength of the US economy [3]

David Solomon, Goldman Sachs chairman and CEO, joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss the evolution of alternative assets, his thoughts on corporate results, regional banks and credit concerns, impact of AI boom, M&A outlook, and more. ...

Regulatory Landscape - Congressman Troy Downing introduces bill to codify Trump's executive order [1] - The bill allows cryptocurrencies and alternative assets to be included in 401(k) retirement accounts [1] Market Impact - The bill potentially expands investment options within 401(k) retirement accounts to include cryptocurrencies and alternative assets [1]

Market Trends - Investors are selling off US dollars, euros, and yen [1] - There's a surge in the price of Bitcoin, gold, and silver, indicating a shift to alternative assets [1] - Wall Street has termed this investment behavior as "debasement trading" [1]