On September 15, OKX Australia CEO Kate Cooper announced the launch of a new AUSTRAC-registered platform designed specifically for SMSFs. The platform aims to provide trustees and service providers with “tools to buy, manage and report on digital assets.”
“All too often, trustees are forced to cobble solutions together through spreadsheets, generic portals, or, worse, offshore providers that don’t understand how SMSFs actually operate. This turns what should be a considered investment decision into a compliance headache and a support nightmare,” Cooper said.
OKX addresses this by offering a purpose-built interface tailored for SMSF needs. Key features include integrated portfolio dashboards, institutional-grade custody, real-time transaction tracking, and automated end-of-year reports to streamline compliance and audit requirements.
Cooper emphasized the platform’s ease of use, noting that accounts can be set up in minutes, with local support teams available via phone, email, or live chat to assist users.
“With OKX, SMSF trustees gain access to infrastructure that supports compliance, transparency, and local assistance. Our goal is to make engaging with digital assets through an SMSF simpler and more accessible,” she added.
Rising Demand for Crypto-Focused SMSFs in Australia
Reports of OKX entering Australia’s retirement market, alongside U.S. competitor Coinbase, emerged earlier this month. Both companies indicated that demand for SMSF-focused crypto platforms is expected to grow, particularly among younger Australians taking control of their retirement planning.
Coinbase revealed that over 500 investors had already joined the waitlist for its upcoming SMSF product, which has yet to be officially launched.
While SMSFs make up only a segment of Australia’s superannuation system, they collectively manage roughly a quarter of the A$4.3 trillion retirement pool.
Data from the past year shows that Australians slightly reduced their SMSF crypto exposure, with holdings falling from A$3.119 billion in 2024 to A$3.018 billion by mid-2025. Despite repeated warnings from regulators that superannuation funds are intended to provide retirement income rather than speculative investment, interest in crypto remains strong.
In 2024, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) took action against blockchain mining firms that allegedly encouraged moving funds from regulated superannuation funds into SMSFs for cryptocurrency investment. Nevertheless, total SMSF crypto holdings have risen 40% compared to 2023, highlighting ongoing enthusiasm among investors.
