Global exchanges Coinbase and OKX are rolling out dedicated products that let Australia’s $2.8 trillion retirement savings invest directly in digital assets.

The push coincides with policy shifts abroad, including President Donald Trump’s recent executive order allowing crypto in US 401(k) plans.

Australia’s compulsory self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) are one of the world’s largest retirement savings systems. In September 2024, they were valued at $2.7 trillion—up from $1.2 trillion a decade earlier. Global consultancy Deloitte projects that by 2043, they will reach $11.2 trillion in nominal terms, equal to about $7 trillion in today’s dollars, up from nearly $2.8 trillion today.

Super funds already invest in toll roads, ports, and global infrastructure, but liquidity challenges and market risks push managers to diversify. Crypto, once seen as fringe, is now viewed as a potential alternative asset.

Cath Bowtell, chair of IFM Investors, highlighted the scale in the Bloomberg report on Monday. She said, “Around $3.2 billion flows into the super system each week, requiring constant investment opportunities.”

SMSFs, which allow individuals to manage their retirement investments, have become the early testing ground for crypto. According to the Australian Tax Office, they account for about 25% of total pension assets and already hold $1.1 billion in digital assets, a sevenfold increase since 2021.

Coinbase is preparing a dedicated SMSF service, with more than 500 investors on its waiting list. John O’Loghlen, the exchange’s Asia-Pacific managing director, said 80% of applicants plan to open new SMSFs, while 77% expect to allocate up to $67,000 in digital assets.

OKX launched its SMSF product in June 2025 and reports that demand surpassed expectations. Australian CEO Kate Cooper said the company has tailored its offering to streamline SMSF creation by linking investors with accountants and legal advisors. Fabian Bussoletti of the SMSF Association said, “Crypto adoption in pensions is still in its early stages. Perhaps the larger funds will catch up over time.”

Analysts say if mainstream superannuation funds eventually follow SMSFs, Australia could become a global gateway for institutional crypto adoption.

Despite investor interest, Australian regulators have repeatedly warned. “These are highly volatile products, and overexposure can lead to substantial losses,” the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) said in a statement urging Australians to seek professional advice before committing super funds to crypto.

Authorities have also stepped up enforcement. In July, the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) ordered Binance’s local arm to appoint an external auditor over money laundering and terrorism financing concerns. The agency has launched a nationwide campaign against non-compliant platforms and warned 427 inactive exchanges that they risk deregistration.

ASIC has disabled more than 10,000 scam websites, including 7,200 fake investment platforms, while courts approved the winding up of 95 companies tied to “pig butchering” fraud. Cointree, a Melbourne-based exchange, was fined $75,120 for late suspicious matter reports.

The Australian Tax Office also underscored the purpose of the pension system. “The objective of superannuation is to preserve savings to deliver income for a dignified retirement,” the agency said.

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