Self-managed super funds (SMSF) registrations in Australia have increased by almost 70% in the 2024-2025 financial year, with many of these new accounts set up for the specific purpose of purchasing Bitcoin and other crypto assets.
The surge reflects growing frustration. Retirement savers want exposure to digital assets, but most of the country’s large superannuation funds do not offer this.
pressure of member mount
Hostplus, which manages more than $96 billion in assets for its members, is now moving to change that.
Sam Sicilia, the fund’s chief investment officer, confirmed that it is looking at plans to give members access to Bitcoin and other digital assets through the ChoicePlus investment option, a self-directed stream through which people can build their own retirement portfolios.
Hostplus ranks third among Australian pension funds by member count, according to financial comparison site Canstar.
According to the report, the product could be available starting next fiscal year, with regulatory approvals pending and consumer protection requirements still unresolved.
“We definitely have had some of our members write to us asking, ‘Why can’t I access my cryptocurrency?’” Sicilia said.
The fund ranks third in Australia by number of members and fifth by total assets. Our 2.2 million members allow us to significantly influence policy change across the nation’s retirement system.
Gap funds are open
Until now, self-managed super funds have been the main route for Australians seeking cryptocurrency for their retirement savings. These are accounts set up and operated by individuals, providing a practical alternative to funds managed by traditional institutions.
The sharp rise in SMSF registrations, tracked by cryptocurrency exchange BTC Markets, indicates how many depositors are willing to take on the administrative burden to access digital assets.
BTCUSD now trading at $71,125. Chart: TradingView
Kate Cooper, OKX’s Australian chief executive, said recently there was a growing number of new SMSFs being created specifically to store digital assets. Because this option does not exist within the major funds.
Hostplus would not be the first large super fund to enter this space. AMP took that step in May 2024, adding Bitcoin exposure to its strategy through futures contracts. Hostplus is following a path that already has more than one footprint.
Image: Da-kuk via Getty Images
There are still hurdles in the design phase
Plans are not finalized. Sicilia said regulatory clearance is still needed and the fund is prepared to wait for it.
“We want to get regulatory approval even if we have to wait another six months,” he said, adding that six months is not a meaningful delay for an institution built around long-term investments.
At the end of the September 2025 quarter, Australia’s total superannuation pool was approximately AUD 4.5 trillion. These figures demonstrate how changes in fund behavior can have a significant impact on the wider financial system.
Featured image by MarkRubens/Getty Images, chart by TradingView
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