OKX Launches Platform for Self-Managed Superannuation Funds in Australia
In a significant move to enhance its offerings in Australia, crypto exchange OKX has launched a dedicated platform targeting self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs). Although cryptocurrencies still represent a limited share of the retirement landscape in Australia, the exchange is seizing the opportunity to tap into this growing segment.
Features and Growth in Crypto Investments
On Sunday, OKX made the announcement, revealing features designed specifically for SMSFs, which allow individuals and small groups to directly oversee their retirement savings. Kate Cooper, the CEO of OKX Australia, highlighted the rapid adoption of cryptocurrencies within these funds, noting a staggering increase in crypto investments which have grown sevenfold since 2021. Current estimates put the amount held in SMSFs at between A$1.7 billion (US$1.1 billion) and A$1.8 billion (US$1.2 billion).
Platform Development and Security Features
This latest initiative was developed after consultations with industry professionals and trustees, ensuring that the platform includes essential services like custody protection, multi-signature security, and comprehensive proof-of-reserves reporting across 22 different tokens. Cooper emphasized that this expansion is intended to provide significant infrastructure rather than simply riding the current crypto wave, stating:
“Australian SMSF trustees manage more money than most sovereign wealth funds. They deserve enterprise-level solutions.”
Significance of Crypto in Superannuation
The crypto component is becoming increasingly significant within the superannuation space, as SMSF allocations to digital assets experienced a staggering 746% increase between March 2020 and March 2025, according to OKX. Currently, SMSFs control approximately one-third of Australia’s estimated A$4 trillion retirement savings. However, fresh data from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority reported a modest overall growth of 5.5% in SMSF assets over the year leading up to June 2025, suggesting that while digital asset investments have surged from previously low levels, the total savings within SMSFs are growing at a more measured pace.
Current Holdings and Market Outlook
An Australian Tax Office report from earlier this month indicated that self-managed super funds collectively held around A$3 billion (US$1.9 billion) in crypto at midyear. This figure represents a mere 0.3% of their overall assets and constitutes an even smaller fraction of Australia’s A$4.3 trillion pension framework. The majority of SMSF holdings continue to focus on traditional investments such as equities, cash, and real estate, with cryptocurrencies remaining relatively stable after an initial spike observed in early 2024.
Despite the market’s caution, especially as cryptocurrency trading volumes in the Asia-Pacific region have surged by about 69% recently, Cooper remains optimistic. She anticipates that in the next 12 to 24 months, thousands of SMSFs may transition to OKX from other platforms, illustrating a potential shift towards digital assets within Australia’s retirement planning landscape.
