Hostplus Eyes Crypto Offerings for Members Amid Growing Demand

Hostplus, one of Australia's largest pension funds, is considering adding cryptocurrency as an investment option for its members. The fund's chief investment officer, Sam Sicilia, confirmed that member demand is driving the review.

The plan remains in a design phase and requires regulatory approval before it can proceed. Issues such as consumer protections must also be resolved. Sicilia said the fund is prepared to wait, adding that a six-month delay for regulatory sign-off would not significantly affect its long-term investment position.

Hostplus manages more than $96 billion in assets and counts 2.2 million members, making it Australia's third-largest retirement fund by membership and fifth-largest by assets under management. Australia's total superannuation pool was estimated at approximately A$4.5 trillion as of the end of the September 2025 quarter.

AMP was the first Australian super fund to gain exposure to the asset class, introducing Bitcoin via BTC futures contracts as part of its investment strategy in May 2024. Hostplus's consideration of direct crypto offerings would mark a further step in institutional adoption within Australia's retirement sector.