Key Highlights
- Hostplus considers crypto for 2M members, responding to rising interest from younger investors.
- AMP paved the way, investing $27M in Bitcoin cautiously as a tiny portion of its $57B fund.
- New Australian rules ease stablecoin access while requiring licenses, encouraging more funds to explore crypto.
Hostplus, Australia’s third-largest pension fund by member count, is looking at letting its two million members invest in cryptocurrencies. The idea comes after a steady stream of questions from members, especially younger ones, asking why they can’t access digital assets.
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“There’s certainly a demand from some of our members who write in and say, ‘Why can’t I have access to cryptocurrency?’” Sam Sicilia, Hostplus’ Chief Investment Officer, told Bloomberg. The fund could offer crypto investments as soon as next financial year through its ChoicePlus platform, which lets members manage their own retirement savings.
The plan is still being designed and will need regulatory approval before it can move forward. Hostplus also has to make sure consumer protections are in place for members. The fund currently manages over $96 billion ($139 billion AUD), making it the fifth-largest in Australia.
With the country’s total superannuation market around $4.5 trillion AUD, introducing crypto could have a significant impact. Sicilia stressed patience, saying, “We’d love to get regulatory tick-off, even if it means waiting another six months. We are long-term investors. Six months doesn’t really move the dial for us.”
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AMP sets precedent in crypto adoption
AMP was the first major Australian super fund to invest in Bitcoin, putting in about $27 million in May 2024. That represented a tiny portion—around 0.05%—of its $57 billion in assets. The fund bought Bitcoin when prices were between $60,000 and $70,000, aiming to diversify and take advantage of market trends.
The cryptocurrency has since gone back to the level it once was. As of writing, the top cryptocurrency by market cap was trading near $71,233, up 4% in the past day, according to CoinMarketCap data. On the prediction platform Myriad, users estimate a 50.1% chance of Bitcoin reaching $84,000.
Regulatory framework and market dynamics
Hotplus’ move comes as Australia is tightening regulations for crypto platforms. A new Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Bill 2025, which was supported by the Australian Senate Economics Committee, is to impose a requirement for crypto platforms to have an Australian Financial Services License.
At the same time, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) is relaxing regulations for stablecoins and wrapped tokens, allowing intermediaries to use omnibus accounts, which might make it easier for other super funds to get into crypto.
Hostplus’s move reflects a shift in the usually cautious superannuation sector. The fund serves a younger group of members, with an average age in the mid-to-late 30s, who are driving interest in new investment options. How crypto fits into retirement portfolios will depend on clearer regulations and better infrastructure.
Also Read: After ‘Dexit,’ Delaware Strikes Back With Powerful Stablecoin Regulations
