Australia’s SMSF sector experiences record growth, driven by digital asset interest

By Newsdesk

May 06 2026
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The self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) sector in Australia has experienced unprecedented growth, with a record 33,224 net new funds established in the 2024–25 financial year. This marks a staggering 91% increase from the previous year, highlighting a significant shift in how Australians are managing their retirement savings. New research commissioned by OKX Australia suggests that the burgeoning interest in digital assets is a major factor driving this trend.

Australia’s SMSF sector experiences record growth, driven by digital asset interest

The report, titled "Voting with Their Super: Digital assets, SMSFs and the structural transformation of Australian retirement savings," was based on a survey conducted by CoreData, which polled 808 investors. The findings indicate that digital assets are not merely a passing trend but a substantial driver in the formation of SMSFs. "Australians under 45 now account for 45% of all new SMSF creation over the past five years, despite making up just 15% of the existing trustee population," the report notes. "Among those bringing digital assets into their fund, 46% of trustees with cryptocurrency in their SMSF say the ability to invest in digital assets was a key driver in establishing the fund."

The data underscores a growing preference among investors for greater control and access to diverse asset classes. Currently, APRA-regulated super funds offer limited pathways to digital asset exposure, prompting a significant number of Australians to establish SMSFs to access these investments within the superannuation framework. The research reveals that digital assets now account for $3.2 billion in SMSF holdings, a dramatic increase from $240 million four years ago. Furthermore, the number of SMSFs holding digital assets has surged by 333% over the past five years, making it the fastest-growing asset class within the SMSF system.

The report identifies two distinct groups propelling the growth of SMSFs: established investors seeking greater control over their retirement savings and younger investors with a strong belief in digital assets. Kate Cooper, Chief Executive Officer of OKX Australia, commented on this trend, stating, "Australians are voting with their super and they’re not waiting for managed funds to catch up - they’re establishing their own structures to access the asset classes they have conviction in. The data suggests this is a structural shift, not just a cycle."

The research also highlights significant allocations to digital assets within SMSFs. Among those holding digital assets, 47% allocate more than half of their entire fund to this asset class, and 28% allocate more than 90%. The median allocation of $80,966 to digital assets surpasses the median allocation to overseas shares and unlisted equities. These allocations reflect trustees' individual assessments of the role digital assets play within their broader portfolio strategy, despite the inherent concentration risk.

Key findings from the research include that 46% of trustees with cryptocurrency in their SMSF cite the ability to invest in digital assets as a key motivator for establishing their fund. Additionally, over a third of crypto-holding trustees set up their SMSF after their first digital asset purchase, with one in five doing so in the same year. Among SMSF trustees under 40, 66% trust digital assets as an investment, compared to 36% of those aged 40 and over. The younger generation, set to inherit approximately $2.3 trillion by 2040, is likely to place greater value on digital asset access and broader investment choices.

Despite the rapid growth of digital assets in SMSFs, the infrastructure to support this trend is lagging. A significant 46% of crypto-SMSF trustees report challenges in meeting ATO compliance requirements. Moreover, only one in ten financial advisers currently have digital assets on their Approved Product List, limiting their ability to guide clients on this asset class. The research found that advised trustees holding digital assets reported higher confidence and better returns compared to their unadvised peers. Cooper emphasised the importance of bridging this gap, stating, "The data suggests that advice may make a real difference to outcomes for trustees holding digital assets. But fewer than one in ten advisers can formally address this asset class with their clients."

Looking to the future, the research points to tokenisation of real-world assets as a potential next phase in self-directed retirement. As blockchain technology extends to real estate, private credit, and infrastructure assets, the flexibility of the SMSF structure may offer advantages over traditional managed funds, further intensifying the preference for investment autonomy.

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