Hostplus considers crypto options for pension members

Hostplus may soon offer Bitcoin and digital assets to members via Choiceplus, responding to demand. Launch could be as early as next financial year, pending regulatory approval.

Hostplus, one of Australia's largest pension funds, is considering adding cryptocurrency investment options, including Bitcoin and other digital assets, to its Choiceplus platform. Managing between $96 billion and $150 billion for nearly two million members, Hostplus is responding to growing demand—especially from younger investors—for access to digital assets. The proposed crypto offering could launch as early as the next financial year, pending regulatory approval and the implementation of robust consumer protections. Currently, about 1% of Hostplus's assets are managed through Choiceplus, which allows members to self-direct a portion of their retirement savings. This move marks a significant shift, as most major Australian pension funds have traditionally avoided cryptocurrencies due to market volatility and regulatory uncertainty. Hostplus’s exploration of digital assets highlights a broader trend of increasing institutional interest in cryptocurrencies within Australia’s superannuation sector.