Hostplus Considers Adding Cryptocurrency to Its Superannuation Options
Hostplus may offer crypto via its Choiceplus option by 2027. Driven by member demand, the $150B fund is seeking regulatory approval to provide self-directed digital asset access.
One of Australia's biggest industry superannuation funds, Hostplus (one of Australia's biggest industry superannuation funds) is looking at whether it will offer cryptocurrencies as an investment option for its members/clients. This is a significant departure from the policy position adopted by the pension fund sector (superannuation) for many years where the fund has been more apprehensive about investing in cryptocurrencies due to significant levels of volatility and regulatory issues involving digital currencies.
Bloomberg interview with Sam Sicilia (March 23, 2026)
Member Demand Drives the Discussion
Financial Services Australia’s (FSA) Executive Director, Tony Marshall, said that they might eventually develop or purchase cryptocurrency-related products. He noted that some of their members have expressed the desire for access to cryptocurrencies. Marshall stated, "We will probably create or invest in a product that provides our members with access to cryptocurrencies over time." This statement was made during an interview with Bloomberg, which was published on March 22, 2026.
The member feedback shows that there is a growing general interest among the retail public in bitcoin, along with other digital assets, as the markets have matured and have been getting a lot of media coverage in the last few years. Hostplus is currently considering ways to responsibly incorporate digital assets as an option for member’s retirement savings.
Planned Offering Through Choiceplus
Should the fund choose to approve, members will have access to Bitcoin and similar digital assets through the fund’s Choiceplus investment option on a self-directed basis, allowing them to take a more hands-on approach with their Superannuation investment portfolio by using direct investments in Australian shares, eligible Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), eligible Listed Investment Companies (LICs), and eligible Term Deposits.
Under 1% of Hostplus' total assets are represented by Choiceplus; it is primarily for members that want to have more control of their retirement savings as opposed to Members who primarily stay with pre-mixed investment options; therefore this would provide self-managed members the ability to invest through an additional asset class (or tickets) without requiring the Fund to change its basic passive/active investment strategies.
Timeline and Current Status
According to Sicilia: "If we are able to satisfy the set requirements, we may offer crypto options to the public in the next fiscal year." Currently, these products are still in development and require further refinement of their product structure, consumer protection procedures, custody arrangements, and risk management practices.
Being authorized by APRA and ASIC is essential; therefore, we are prepared to wait as long as it takes to see it happen. Sicilia elaborated: "We want confirmation from the government that it has given a regulatory stamp of approval - even if it takes 6 months before we see that happen." "It will not affect our strategies or tactics in any material way if we have to wait those 6 months - in fact those timeframes will be appropriate with the goal of our fiduciary responsibilities being to provide long-term retirement results rather than short-term fluctuations."
Hostplus Profile and Scale
By total members, Hostplus is Australia's 3rd largest Super Fund with 1.94 million members and over 329,000 contributing employers. Based on assets under management, the Hostplus Fund is 5th largest Super Fund, having recently passed A$150 billion (approximately US$105 billion) in assets under administration. The Fund has consistently delivered competitive long-term returns, particularly with the Balanced option.
At September 2025 total superannuation assets in Australia were estimated to be around A$4.5 trillion, showing just how big this sector is, and how important it is for providing retirement savings for all Australians.
Context Within the Industry
So far, most of Australia’s big super funds have chosen not to invest directly in cryptocurrencies via their default or ‘mainstream’ products (`pre-mixed` options), citing concerns about their dramatic price movements, differing valuations, issues regarding where cryptocurrencies are stored (custody) and the absence of an established regulatory environment for institutional investor use of cryptocurrencies. Smaller and/or self-managed super funds (SMSFs) have already invested in cryptocurrencies. However, industry super funds are yet to make similar moves.
At the previous year's annual meeting of members of Hostplus, the fund indicated that member's inquiries regarding the use of crypto currencies would be addressed in future years once regulatory uncertainties had been resolved. Since that time, the fund has been following developments (including guidance from ASIC regarding digital assets) and seems now willing to revisit these issues as the regulatory environment evolves.
In addition to the likely possibility of implementing this offering with a variety of education materials and risk warnings to appropriately inform members about the potential for extreme volatility and speculative investment characteristics of investing in cryptos within the retirement system.
Potential Benefits and Risks
Supporters state that limited exposure to cryptocurrency can provide asset diversification and potential protection against inflation for those members who are willing to take more risk. Bitcoin has performed well long-term at specific points in time while also experiencing periodic very large price declines.
Historically, Hostplus has focused on governance, safekeeping and ensuring that members get the most benefit from their investment. Any crypto products will require strong custody solutions, appropriate disclosure, and fit within the current consumer protections.
The fund may be able to reduce volatility through their long-term investment horizon. However, any member who chooses to invest in crypto through Choiceplus would be responsible for all of the risk associated with that portion of their account.
What Happens Next
While finalizing meaningful members feedback, Hostplus is still doing design work and working with regulators on possible launches with appropriate safeguards. This marks a new, progressive step towards digital assets for the superannuation sector, as there has been an increased demand for such services from members, along with an established and stable market for digital assets.
This example demonstrates the ongoing struggle between innovation and conservativeness in the way superannuation is treated for the purposes of a duty to care for individuals in instance of retirement.
Individuals wanting to use crypto but not having access to a self-managed superannuation fund (subject to the ATO's strict requirements) will need to wait patiently for the time when Hostplus and others confirm the types of crypto products to be offered.
