Australia’s superannuation system, known simply as “Super”, is becoming one of the most powerful forces in global capital markets. Experts believe that the fund might soon find its way into the crypto industry.
According to a new Deutsche Bank Research report by macro strategist Lachlan Dynan, the country’s pension pool has grown to AUD 4.2 trillion, equivalent to 150 % of GDP, ranking it among the world’s largest. With nearly half of its assets now invested offshore, Super funds are reshaping global liquidity and FX flows as they diversify beyond domestic equities.
The report notes that investment returns and mandatory contributions remain the biggest growth drivers. Australia’s Superannuation Guarantee, which rose from 3 % in 1992 to 12 % in 2025, has created a structural engine for capital accumulation.
Combined with a relatively young population and higher equity allocations, the system’s scale now positions it as a major global investor. Dynan’s research also highlights the macro ripple effects of this growth. As Super funds convert contributions into foreign assets, their presence in FX swap and hedging markets is expanding, often putting pressure on currency bases.
Roughly 48 % of all Super assets are now offshore, compared to just one‑third a decade ago, underscoring how the system’s evolution is shaping international capital movement.
Deutsche Bank deepens ties with Australia’s pension ecosystem
Glenn Morgan, Deutsche Bank Australia CEO, said the institution is working closely with Super funds to design multi‑product strategies across FX, rates, derivatives, and structured credit. “The size, growth, and sophistication of Australia’s superannuation sector require increasingly global and bespoke solutions,” Morgan noted.
Deutsche Bank’s Global Hausbank model gives Super funds direct access to global markets and risk management tools, vital as they chase offshore yields. The partnership cements the bank’s grip on Asia‑Pacific capital flows as Australia’s pension money moves abroad.
Crypto quietly enters Australia’s retirement system
The Deutsche Bank report arrives as a parallel shift unfolds in the same ecosystem, the quiet integration of digital assets into Australian pension savings.
As The CryptoTimes reported in September, platforms like Coinbase and OKX are launching products for self‑managed superannuation funds (SMSFs), private pension vehicles that already make up a quarter of the country’s retirement pool. While traditional funds remain cautious, SMSFs held A$1.7 billion in crypto as of March, a sevenfold increase since 2021.
Coinbase’s Asia‑Pacific head John O’Loghlen said over 500 investors are waiting for its upcoming SMSF crypto service. OKX saw stronger‑than‑expected demand after launching in June. AMP remains the only major pension provider with disclosed crypto exposure, but momentum is clearly building.