Hostplus is considering a crypto investment option for members after receiving direct requests for access to Bitcoin and other digital assets. The plan would likely sit inside Choiceplus, the fund’s self directed investment option. However, the proposal is still being designed and would need regulatory approval before any launch. Sam Sicilia, Hostplus chief investment officer, told Bloomberg that member demand is part of the reason the fund is reviewing the move.
Sicilia said,
“There’s certainly a demand from some of our members who write in and say, ‘Why can’t I have access to cryptocurrency?’”
He also said Hostplus would prefer to wait for a regulatory green light, even if that delays the product. Bloomberg reported that the fund could make crypto available as soon as the next financial year, but only after consumer protection and compliance issues are addressed.
The discussion matters because Hostplus is one of Australia’s largest retirement funds. On its website, the fund says it has more than 1.94 million members and over $150 billion in funds under management. That scale means any move toward Bitcoin superannuation would draw attention across the wider Australian super fund sector.
Hostplus crypto demand grows inside Choiceplus discussion
The current plan focuses on Choiceplus, not on a full fund wide change. That matters because Choiceplus gives members more control over parts of their retirement portfolio. In other words, the idea is not to place crypto across standard default options. Instead, it would offer access through a more self managed path.
Bloomberg reported that the proposal is still in the design phase. Therefore, no final structure has been announced yet. Hostplus still needs to work through regulatory approval, consumer protection standards, and other practical questions before the option can go live.
Sicilia also said the fund is not rushing. He told Bloomberg,
“We’d love to get regulatory tick off, even if it means waiting another six months.”
He added,
“We are long term investors. Six months doesn’t really move the dial for us.”
Those comments show that Hostplus is treating the issue as a long term product question, not as a short term market reaction.
Australian super fund crypto access still mostly runs through SMSFs
At this stage, most Australians who want crypto exposure in retirement still use Self Managed Super Funds, or SMSFs. That route lets individuals control their own super investments rather than relying on large funds to offer digital assets. As a result, crypto access has stayed mostly outside the main super system. Bloomberg said Hostplus’s review would be a rare step for a major fund.
There is already one major example in the market. AMP said it took a cautious step into Bitcoin futures in May 2024. Later AMP documents stated that the exposure was small and sat inside its dynamic asset allocation process. AMP also said the trade contributed positively to returns, but it remained a very small part of the portfolio.
That background matters because it shows large funds in Australia have already started testing limited crypto related exposure, even if direct access for members remains rare. In that context, a Hostplus crypto option would build on a market that is moving carefully rather than suddenly.
Bitcoin superannuation debate grows as Australia retirement fund pool expands
Australia’s retirement system is large enough that even a limited crypto offering attracts national attention. APRA said total superannuation assets reached about A$4.5 trillion by the September 2025 quarter. The system stayed at about the same level in the December 2025 quarter. That means any change by a major Australia retirement fund carries broader weight.
Hostplus itself has also grown. Its official materials say the fund now serves more than 1.94 million members and manages more than $150 billion. Meanwhile, its 2025 financial report said funds under management reached $134.5 billion by June 30, 2025. The exact figure depends on the reporting period, but both numbers show that Hostplus is one of the biggest players in the sector.
Sicilia told Bloomberg that crypto has changed a lot since Hostplus first looked at the sector about a decade ago. That comment places the current review in a longer timeline. Hostplus is not looking at crypto for the first time. Instead, it is returning to the issue as digital assets become a larger part of the broader investment discussion inside Australia’s super sector.
Disclosure:This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.
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Tatevik Avetisyan is an editor at Kriptoworld who covers emerging crypto trends, blockchain innovation, and altcoin developments. She is passionate about breaking down complex stories for a global audience and making digital finance more accessible.
📅 Published: March 24, 2026 • 🕓 Last updated: March 24, 2026
