It’s no secret that SMSF trustees are independent thinkers. They value control, want transparency, and are often ahead of the curve when it comes to emerging investment trends.

So, it should come as no surprise that many SMSF investors are engaging with cryptocurrency and crypto ETFs. But according to new research from CoreData, the advice industry isn’t quite keeping up.

The Great Disconnect

 CoreData’s latest findings highlight a significant mismatch between what advisers believe and what their clients are actually doing:

• 77% of financial advisers estimated that fewer than 5% of their clients held cryptocurrency or crypto ETFs.

• In contrast, CoreData’s survey of Australian investors found that 38% already hold crypto assets.

That’s a pretty stark gap. And it points to a bigger issue - investors are clearly taking steps into crypto, often without professional guidance.

What About SMSF Trustees?

We know that SMSF trustees are more likely to take an active role in their portfolios. Many are exploring direct shares, property, and international assets - and now, crypto.

At SMSFAI, we’re seeing more trustees allocating a portion of their SMSF to crypto - particularly among younger and tech-savvy members who see it as part of a diversified long-term strategy. 

The Appeal?

• High-growth potential

• Diversification

• Full control over asset selection

But here's the challenge: trustees are often making these decisions without support from their adviser - because many advisers can’t support them.

An Industry Playing Catch-Up

Only 11% of advice practices have crypto or crypto ETFs on their Approved Product List (APL)—which means that most advisers are limited in what they can even discuss with clients, let alone recommend.

This is despite the fact that:

• 21% of advisers personally hold cryptocurrency, and

• Another 13% are considering investing in the future.

So even as advisers are exploring crypto for their own portfolios, they’re often not equipped (or permitted) to have the same conversation with clients.

So What Happens Next?

Like it or not, crypto is here - and investors are already engaging with it.

For SMSF trustees, the conversation isn’t just about Bitcoin anymore. It’s about regulated ETFs, blockchain technology, digital asset custody, and how to structure investments within the fund while remaining compliant.

What the CoreData research makes clear is this:

• The appetite is there.

• The guidance is not.

It’s Time to Bridge the Gap

If the advice industry doesn’t build capability around cryptoassets, SMSF trustees will continue to make decisions in a vacuum. And that doesn’t serve anyone - not the investor, not the adviser, and not the industry as a whole. As a starting point, Universities should actually add the subject to the curriculum!

 At SMSFAI, we believe trustees deserve smart, modern support. That means being ready for where the market is going - not just where it’s been.

Because when it comes to crypto in SMSFs, the question isn’t “Should we talk about it?”
It’s “Why aren’t we already?”

Curious about how crypto fits into your SMSF strategy?
Let’s start the conversation.