Crypto: Australian pension heavyweight Hostplus considers Bitcoin access for 2.2 million members

Hostplus, one of Australia's largest pension funds, is weighing whether to let members gain exposure to Bitcoin and other digital assets. Bloomberg reports the fund, which oversees about $96 billion in assets and has 2.2 million members, is considering adding crypto exposure through its self-directed ChoicePlus investment option. A launch could come as soon as the next financial year, subject to regulatory approval. Chief Investment Officer Sam Sicilia said member demand is driving the review: "There's certainly a demand from some of our members who write in and say, 'Why can't I have access to cryptocurrency?'" The push is already visible in market behavior. Registrations for Self-Managed Super Funds in Australia rose nearly 70% in the 2024–2025 financial year, with many reportedly created specifically to buy Bitcoin because large funds have not offered it. Hostplus would not be the first mover. AMP added $BTC exposure via futures in May 2024. Still, the potential reach is significant: Australia's total superannuation pool is roughly AUD $4.5 trillion. As funds compete for members by offering crypto access, the debate is shifting from whether to participate to how quickly to move.