Australia’s Hostplus weighs crypto access for members

Hostplus is reviewing whether to add crypto exposure to its investment menu after member interest in digital assets continued to grow. 

Summary

• Hostplus is studying crypto access after members asked for digital assets in retirement portfolios.
• Any crypto option would likely launch through Choiceplus, pending approval and consumer protection checks.
• Growing SMSF crypto activity shows rising interest in digital assets among Australian retirement savers.

A Bloomberg report said the fund is considering a model that would give access through its Choiceplus option, though the plan still needs regulatory approval and further design work.

Hostplus is one of Australia’s largest super funds by member count. It has about 2.2 million members, and it ranks among the country’s biggest retirement funds by assets under management, according to Canstar.

Its chief investment officer, Sam Sicilia, said member requests helped keep the issue on the table. He said, 

Choiceplus could be the path for a launch

The report said any crypto access would likely sit inside Hostplus’ Choiceplus option. That part of the fund allows members to manage parts of their retirement savings more directly than standard investment options.

Sicilia said the offer could arrive as soon as the next financial year if the structure is approved. He also said, ”We’d love to get regulatory tick-off, even if it means waiting another six months,” showing the fund is willing to wait for formal clearance.

In addition, the proposal is still at an early stage. It would need regulatory approval before any launch, and the fund also needs to address consumer protection issues tied to crypto access in retirement products.

Australia’s superannuation market remains large and tightly watched by regulators. APRA said it supervises financial institutions with about A$10.1 trillion in assets, while industry reporting has placed total superannuation assets near A$4.5 trillion by late 2025.

Broader crypto interest is growing in retirement markets

Large super funds have moved slowly on direct crypto access, but some parts of the market have already taken steps. AMP introduced Bitcoin futures exposure in May 2024 as part of its investment approach, according to the report.

Self-managed super funds remain a major route for Australians who want crypto in retirement portfolios. BTC Markets said SMSF registrations on its platform rose 69% year over year in the 2024–2025 financial year, pointing to continued interest from retirement-focused investors.