America’s Leading Teachers’ Union Gives Crypto Warning Related to Pensions

America’s largest teachers’ union is raising red flags over the growing push to introduce crypto exposure into public-sector pension funds, warning that the risks could fall squarely on educators if things go wrong. In a new statement, the union argues that while crypto markets have matured, they remain too volatile and too lightly regulated to be tied to retirement savings that millions of teachers depend on.

The concern comes as lawmakers in several states push proposals allowing pension systems to hold Bitcoin or other digital assets, often framing the move as a way to diversify portfolios and capture long-term upside. But the union says this narrative ignores the sharp drawdowns, liquidity crunches, and fraud risks that still plague the industry. They point to recent examples of crypto-linked companies crashing after aggressive bets, leaving investors — including institutions — with massive losses.

Teachers’ representatives argue that pensions should prioritize stability and predictable cash flow, not speculative assets that can swing 20% in a day. They’re urging Congress and state officials to slow down and conduct deeper risk assessments before allowing retirement funds to enter the crypto market.

Their bottom line is simple: educators shouldn’t have to gamble on digital assets to secure a stable retirement — and policymakers should resist pressure from financial firms promoting crypto as a “must-own” asset class for pensions.