With 2025 winding down, now is a good time to stay informed and get ahead on your plans.
PlumTree Financial's November newsletter covers key capital market updates, the new Roth catch-up contribution rule for high-income earners aged fifty and older, and a year-end financial checklist to help keep your goals on track.
We also highlight ways to support our community this Thanksgiving and are proud to feature two incredible local charities, Food for Others and Pathway Homes, as part of our Annual Pie Giveaway.
November 2025
Capital Markets
Tales From the Crypto
Q3 2025 Update
Michael McClain, Alternative Investment Research
As digital assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum continue to make headlines, LPL Research has reviewed recent developments in the crypto space. Below are the key takeaways, organized into three sections to help you understand both the opportunities and the risks.
Positive Factors
Bitcoin Hits a New Record. Bitcoin briefly reached a new all-time high of $126,080 in early October, showing strong investor interest despite recent price swings.
Big Banks Are Getting Involved.J.P. Morgan announced plans to let large clients use Bitcoin and Ethereum as loan collateral — another sign that crypto is becoming more accepted in traditional finance.
More Companies Are Holding Crypto.Publicly traded companies are starting to keep cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin on their balance sheets, giving investors more ways to gain exposure through regular stocks.
Concerning Factors
Sharp Price Drops Can Happen Fast. For example, a sudden announcement about new tariffs caused Bitcoin to drop over $15,000 in under an hour (October 11, 2025), showing how quickly prices can fall.
Borrowing to Invest Adds Risk. Many investors who borrowed money to buy crypto were forced to sell quickly during the drop, which made the decline even worse.
Weekend Trading Adds Complexity. Because crypto trades 24/7, major price moves can happen when traditional markets are closed, making it harder to react in real time.
LPL Research’s Perspective
Crypto Is Growing, Not Going Away. LPL Research believes the crypto market will continue to expand and slowly become more connected to traditional financial systems.
It’s Not for Everyone. Due to its high risk and complexity, crypto may not be a good fit for all investors. It’s important to understand the risks before getting involved.
We’re Here to Help. LPL is adding a Digital Asset category to help advisors evaluate crypto-related investments and guide clients who are exploring this space.
Call to Action
If you are curious about whether digital assets belong in your portfolio — or want to better understand the risks — please reach out to your advisor. We are here to help you make informed decisions with confidence.
Did You Know?
Attention Employers: New Roth Catch-Up Rule Starting 2026
Under the SECURE 2.0 Act, beginning January 1, 2026, employees age 50 or older who earned more than $145,000 (FICA wages) from their employer in the prior year will be required to make all catch-up contributions on a Roth (after-tax) basis.
Key Points:
This rule applies to 401(k), ERISA 403(b), and governmental 457(b) plans, but not IRAs.
Employees aged 60–63 making “super catch-up” contributions must also contribute Roth-only.
If your plan does not offer a Roth option, you will not be able to make catch-up contributions unless the employer adds one.
Effective Date: January 1, 2026
Deadline for Amending Plan Documents: December 31, 2026
Whether implementation is already complete, in progress, or just beginning, employers should review their compliance status to ensure all requirements are met by the deadlines.
For more details, download the attached guide to understand how this change may affect your retirement savings strategy and reach out to PlumTree Financial with any questions or concerns.
Year-End Financial Checklist: Set Yourself Up for Success
As the year draws to a close, it is the perfect time to take stock of your overall financial picture. Along with reviewing your accounts, tax documents, and investment contributions, review your estate plan, health and employee benefits, and education savings goals for children or grandchildren. Certain actions may need to be completed before year-end to take advantage of potential financial opportunities and savings options, so now is the ideal time to evaluate your plans.
Planning to make charitable or educational gifts before year-end? The deadline to submit requests is December 5, 2025. Get in touch with PlumTree Financial today to ensure timely processing. Any requests received after December 5, 2025, LPL will process on a best-efforts basis.
PlumTree Financial is ready to guide you through every detail. If you would like personalized assistance completing your year-end review, please reach out. We are here to help you begin the new year confident and prepared. Take a moment to review our attached checklist—it offers helpful guidance to support your year-end review and ensure nothing important is overlooked.
This holiday season, PlumTree Financial is proud to spotlight two incredible local charities: Food for Others and Pathway Homes.
Food for Others fights hunger by providing nutritious groceries and fresh produce to families and individuals in need. In addition to emergency food assistance, they connect people to vital resources and programs, helping families achieve greater stability and well-being.
Pathway Homes provides housing and comprehensive support to individuals living with mental illness and co-occurring disabilities. Their mission is to help people live independently in the community, offering not just a safe place to live but also programs that foster skills, confidence, and a pathway to long-term stability.
The Plums hope you can join us for our annual Thanksgiving Pie Giveaway on Tuesday, November 25, 2025! Clients and friends are invited to register to receive a pie or choose to donate the value of their pie instead. If you are unable to attend, you can still make a meaningful difference by donating the value of your pie to these wonderful organizations. Your support helps provide meals, housing assistance, and hope to those who need it most.
PlumTree Financial is grateful for the opportunity to show our appreciation for our clients while giving back to the community we are proud to serve.
Build momentum before year-end—follow us this November for advice on
saving, investing, and growing your wealth.
“Autumn... the year's last, loveliest smile."
—William Cullen Bryant, "The Death of the Flowers"
Poet, Editor, Journalist, Lawyer, Politician, and Publisher
Disclosures
Tales from the Crypto Client Summary
This material is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. There is no assurance that the views or strategies discussed are suitable for all investors or will yield positive outcomes. Investing involves risks including possible loss of principal. Any economic forecasts set forth may not develop as predicted and are subject to change.
References to markets, asset classes, and sectors are generally regarding the corresponding market index. Indexes are unmanaged statistical composites and cannot be invested into directly. Index performance is not indicative of the performance of any investment and do not reflect fees, expenses, or sales charges. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results.
Any product names noted herein are for educational purposes only and not an indication of trading intent or a solicitation.
All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, LPL Financial makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy.
The information presented is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a recommendation or specific advice. Cryptocurrency and cryptocurrency-related products can be volatile, are highly speculative and involve significant risks including: liquidity, pricing, regulatory, cybersecurity risk, and loss of principal. A cryptocurrency fund may trade at a significant premium to Net Asset Value (NAV). Cryptocurrencies are not legal tender and are not government backed. Cryptocurrencies are non-traditional investments, resulting in a different tax treatment than currency. Federal, state or foreign governments may restrict the use and exchange of cryptocurrency. The use and exchange of cryptocurrency may also be restricted or halted permanently as regulatory developments continue, and regulations are subject to change at any time. Cryptocurrency exchanges may stop operating or permanently shut down due to fraud, technical glitches, hackers, malware, or bankruptcy.
All index data from FactSet.
This research material has been prepared by LPL Financial LLC.
Not Insured by FDIC/NCUA or Any Other Government Agency
Not Bank/Credit Union Guaranteed For public use. Member FINRA/SIPC. Tracking #818569 | #818571 (Exp. 10/26)
Not Bank/Credit Union Deposits or Obligations May Lose Value
For public use. Member FINRA/SIPC. Tracking #818569 | #818571 (Exp. 10/26)
New Roth Catch-Up Rule Starting 2026/ Year-End Financial Checklist: Set Yourself Up for Success
Securities and Advisory Services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor, member FINRA/SIPC. Content in this material is for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. A Roth IRA offers tax deferral on any earnings in the account. Qualified withdrawals of earnings from the account are tax-free. Withdrawals of earnings prior to age 59 ½ or prior to the account being opened for 5 years, whichever is later, may result in a 10% IRS penalty tax. Limitations and restrictions may apply.
