A reduction of nearly 4% in cryptocurrency assets was recorded in the Self-Managed Super Funds of Australians over the past year.
The total crypto holdings in these funds, which stood at A$3.119 billion in June of last year, had shrunk to A$3.018 billion in 2025, a decline that was revealed by data from the Australian Taxation Office on Sept. 3.
SMSFs are private retirement funds that give members personal control over the allocation of their superannuation. This means that a portion of their funds can be designated for assets like cryptocurrencies.
Conventionally, assets such as shares, property, and term deposits are prioritized, but in recent years, an increasing number of trustees have ventured into digital assets, enticed by the potential for substantial gains and the diversification of their holdings.
Cryptocurrency Investments in SMSFs Surging Since 2023
Curiously, Australians scaled back their cryptocurrency holdings during a time when renewed momentum was seen in the global cryptocurrency sector. Bitcoin simultaneously ascended by 60% over the same period.
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When a wider perspective is taken, the numbers still show a substantial gain from where they were just two years ago. In June 2023, total SMSF crypto holdings were at approximately A$2.14 billion, which means current totals are up roughly 40% in the long term.
A portion of this growth may have been spurred by evolving investor behavior, specifically as retirement planning is beginning to be reshaped on their own terms by young and tech-savvy Australians.
SMSFs have historically been controlled by members over 35, with the largest share of participants in the 75 to 84 age bracket. However, younger investors are now joining the sector sooner, and they are bringing their predilection for digital assets with them.
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As per information from Independent Reserve, a fact is revealed: over half of all Australians between the ages of 25 and 34 now own some form of cryptocurrency, which makes them the most active demographic in the sector.
With time, cryptocurrencies may be more organically integrated into enduring investment portfolios, including retirement planning. As a result, the SMSF numbers could experience a significant transformation in the years ahead.
Coinbase, OKX, Set Sights on Australian Retirement Funds
As was previously reported on , Australia’s A$4.3 trillion retirement savings sector has already begun to attract major global exchanges. Both Coinbase and OKX are now launching offerings customized for SMSF investors who are seeking to include crypto in their retirement portfolios.
Both companies have experienced a stronger-than-forecasted demand for their products. OKX, for instance, has been providing SMSF onboarding services since June and reports that its initial interest has exceeded its internal projections.
Coinbase, which has yet to introduce its SMSF-related services, disclosed that a waitlist with over 500 investors has already been amassed.
The trend is not confined to Australia alone. Instead, crypto is progressively being integrated into mainstream retirement planning across the globe.
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While the United States has allowed for the inclusion of cryptocurrencies in 401(k) retirement plans, a recent survey in the UK found that 27% of adults are receptive to incorporating crypto into their pension portfolios.
A distinct study was performed in India last year, which discovered that 45% of residents with a retirement plan had put capital into cryptocurrencies.
