Crypto finds gateway into Australia’s US$2.8 tril pension pot.

“It does make sense that we’re probably seeing a bit more interest in crypto in the self-managed super fund space first,” said Fabian Bussoletti, a technical manager at the SMSF Association. “Perhaps the larger funds will catch up over time.”

Coinbase is nearing the launch of a dedicated SMSF service, with more than 500 investors on its waiting list, according to John O’Loghlen, the company’s Asia-Pacific managing director. OKX launched a similar product in June, and demand has exceeded expectations, said Kate Cooper, the chief executive of its Australian arm.

Crypto holdings in SMSFs remain modest: about A$1.7 billion as of March, tax office data showed. But that’s a sevenfold increase since 2021. Both exchanges are betting the trickle will accelerate, forcing regulators and institutional funds to confront an exposure they have so far resisted. For now, AMP is the only major pension provider to disclose an investment in the asset class.