Hostplus, one of Australia’s largest pension funds, is exploring the possibility of offering cryptocurrency as an investment option to its members. The fund’s chief investment officer, Sam Sicilia, told Bloomberg that member demand is a key driver behind the consideration. “There’s certainly a demand from some of our members who write in and say, ‘Why can’t I have access to cryptocurrency?'” he said. The move reflects a broader shift in how large institutional funds are beginning to engage with digital assets.
Sicilia indicated that crypto investment options could become available as soon as the next financial year. The offerings would be made through the fund’s ChoicePlus investment option, a self-managed component that allows members to take direct control of their retirement savings portfolio. Bitcoin and other digital assets are among the instruments being considered for inclusion. However, the plan remains in its design phase and has not yet been finalised.
Before any crypto offerings can go live, the fund would need to secure regulatory approval and resolve a range of outstanding issues, including consumer protection measures. Sicilia expressed willingness to wait for the necessary clearances, telling Bloomberg, “We’d love to get regulatory tick-off, even if it means waiting another six months.” He added that as long-term investors, a six-month delay would not significantly affect the fund’s overall strategy. The cautious approach reflects the complexity of introducing a volatile asset class into a regulated retirement savings environment.
Hostplus is the fifth-largest Australian super fund by assets under management, with over $139 billion, according to financial comparison site Canstar. By member count, it ranks third in the country. Australia’s total superannuation assets were estimated to reach $4.5 trillion by the end of the September 2025 quarter, underscoring the scale of the sector. Sicilia also noted that the crypto industry has evolved considerably since Hostplus first examined it roughly a decade ago.
Hostplus would not be the first major super fund to venture into digital assets. AMP became the first Australian superannuation fund to embrace crypto in May 2024, introducing exposure to Bitcoin through Bitcoin futures contracts as part of its broader investment strategy. That move set a precedent for other large funds now weighing similar steps. The growing institutional interest signals a gradual shift in how the retirement savings sector views digital assets.
Currently, Self-Managed Super Funds (SMSFs) represent the primary avenue through which Australians access cryptocurrency within their retirement savings. Unlike conventional funds managed by large institutions, SMSFs are established and run by individuals themselves. BTC Markets, an Australian crypto exchange, reported in its Investor Study Report that SMSF registrations rose 69% year-on-year during the 2024–2025 financial year. This surge highlights the unmet demand for crypto exposure within mainstream superannuation products.
OKX Australia CEO Kate Cooper told Cointelegraph in February that a significant portion of the exchange’s growth has come from SMSF trustees. She noted that a growing number of funds are being established specifically to allow trustees to invest in digital assets, citing the current inability to do so through major super funds. If Hostplus proceeds with its plans and receives regulatory approval, it could reduce the need for members to set up individual SMSFs solely for crypto access. The development may also prompt other large funds to accelerate their own digital asset strategies.
Originally reported by CoinTelegraph.
