- One of Australia’s biggest industry super funds, Hostplus, is considering offering digital assets through its self-directed Choiceplus option, reflecting growing member demand.
- The plan is currently in design stage awaiting regulatory approval, which if granted, could trigger wider adoption of crypto across Australia’s superannuation sector.
Increased demand for crypto as an investment option has led Australian industry super fund HostPlus to revisit the idea of giving its members access to digital currencies.
HostPlus’s chief investment officer, Sam Sicilia, told Bloomberg this week that the fund could start offering cryptocurrencies as a direct investment option as soon as next financial year, subject to regulatory approval.
We’re now at the stage where we’re revisiting digital currencies, not just Bitcoin, but just the broader range of digital currencies.
Sam Sicilia, HostPlus CIOHostPlus has around 2 million members and manages AU$150 billion in superannuation funds, making it one of the country’s largest funds.
Sicilia said the fund would need to work through issues, including consumer protections, and was still in the design phase of what it might offer members, with no plans to proceed with crypto until regulators give it the green light.
“We’d love to get regulatory tick off, even if it means waiting another six months,” he said.
Sicilia has had crypto on his radar since at least 2021 — he said at the time that it was likely holding digital assets would become mainstream for institutional super funds.
AMP became the first Australian super fund to add Bitcoin to its assets under management in 2024.
Related: Banking Woes Rise as Record One-Third of Australians Invest in Digital Assets
People Who Want Control Value Crypto Access
The ability to invest superannuation savings into crypto would be offered through HostPlus’ direct investment product called Choiceplus, that lets members have active control over the make-up of their portfolio.
Current assets offered by HostPlus include stocks, ETFs, LICs, and term deposits, but HostPlus members have been asking about crypto, according to Sicilia.
“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.
Related: Australia’s SMSFs Embrace Crypto as Regulation and ETFs Fuel New Wave of Adoption
Just 1% of the fund’s assets are invested in Choiceplus. However, there’s clearly a broader trend towards Aussies taking control of how their retirement funds are invested — there’s evidence that self-managed super funds (SMSFs) are being established at higher rates than ever before.
Traditional assets are still the most common investments by SMSFs, but access to crypto is also a draw. As of June 2025, SMSF crypto assets stood at AU$3.02B (US$1.97B).
Credit: Source link
