tl;dr
Australia’s retirement savings system is getting a digital upgrade. Coinbase and OKX, two of the world’s largest centralized crypto exchanges, are now offering tailored services for self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs), making it easier for Australians to invest in cryptocurrencies as part of t...
Australia’s retirement savings system is getting a digital upgrade. Coinbase and OKX, two of the world’s largest centralized crypto exchanges, are now offering tailored services for self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs), making it easier for Australians to invest in cryptocurrencies as part of their retirement planning. This move marks a significant shift, blending traditional finance with the fast-evolving world of digital assets.
For years, Australians with SMSFs—retirement accounts they control directly—could technically hold crypto, but the process was complicated. Investors had to navigate legal and custody hurdles on their own. Now, Coinbase and OKX are stepping in with turnkey solutions: they connect users with accountants and legal experts, handle custody of digital assets, and ensure compliance with audit requirements. It’s like having a concierge for crypto retirement planning.
The numbers tell a story. As of March 2025, SMSFs held about A$1.7 billion in digital assets—a sevenfold increase since 2021. That’s no small feat. With over 25% of Australia’s retirement savings pooled into SMSFs, this growth highlights how crypto is becoming a mainstream consideration for long-term financial planning. Coinbase’s waiting list alone has over 500 investors, many planning to allocate up to A$100,000 in crypto.
But this isn’t just an Australian phenomenon. Across the Pacific, the U.S. is wrestling with its own crypto retirement dilemma. Fidelity Investments broke the ice in 2022 by launching a Bitcoin 401(k) option, allowing workers to allocate up to 20% of their savings to Bitcoin if their employer signed on. However, the Department of Labor quickly raised red flags, warning fiduciaries to tread carefully. That caution lasted until May 2025, when the agency reversed course, giving plan sponsors more freedom to include crypto.
Enter Donald Trump. In August, he signed an executive order titled “Democratizing Access to Alternative Assets for 401(k) Investors,” instructing the Department of Labor to revisit retirement rules and open the door for cryptocurrencies and other alternative assets in 401(k)s. The move split opinions. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer praised it as a step toward empowering workers, while critics like Chris Noble of the Private Equity Stakeholder Project warned it could favor private equity firms over retirees.
Adding fuel to the fire, Trump’s family has deep ties to the crypto world. The World Liberty Financial (WLFI) token, backed by the Trump family, recently debuted after raising over $500 million in a private sale. This raises eyebrows about potential conflicts of interest, especially as policies shift to include crypto in retirement accounts.
So where does this leave investors? In Australia, the path to crypto retirement is getting smoother, thanks to Coinbase and OKX. In the U.S., the landscape is still a patchwork of opportunities and risks. One thing is clear: as retirement systems evolve, the question isn’t just whether crypto will be part of the equation—it’s how to balance innovation with safeguards.
For now, Australians are leading the charge, showing that even the most traditional systems can adapt. But as the U.S. experiments with its own version, the world is watching closely. Will this be the future of retirement? Or a cautionary tale? The answer might depend on how well regulators and investors navigate the next chapter.