Yes. The ATO permits SMSFs to invest in Bitcoin and other digital assets, provided the investment complies with SMSF rules (including the sole purpose test, separation of assets, and appropriate documentation). Your SMSF administrator, accountant, and legal adviser must confirm whether Bitcoin is appropriate for your SMSF. The Bitcoin Adviser provides technical support for self-custody and collaborative security once your SMSF is established.

ETFs and managed funds give you price exposure, but you don’t own the underlying Bitcoin and you cannot self-custody it. With our approach, your SMSF holds actual Bitcoin in a multi-signature vault, giving you:

• Direct ownership at the protocol level.
• Self-custody with collaborative security.
• Clear estate planning pathways.
• The ability to hedge the traditional system from outside that system.

For more on why direct ownership matters, see our piece: You can’t hedge the system from within the system →

Generally, SMSF earnings are taxed at concessional rates (often 15% in accumulation phase, and 0% in pension phase for balances under the transfer balance cap). Capital gains and income treatment depend on your fund’s status and transactions. The Bitcoin Adviser does not provide tax advice. You must consult with a qualified tax professional and SMSF specialist for guidance specific to your situation and current ATO rules.

Timelines vary depending on whether you are setting up a new SMSF or converting an existing fund, how quickly rollovers are processed, and how prepared your documentation is. Typically, clients see:

• SMSF setup or conversion: often several weeks.
• Funding and exchange onboarding: 1–3 weeks.
• Vault construction and key distribution: usually completed alongside or shortly after acquisition.

You work directly with your SMSF administrator and advisers on timelines. We fit the technical work around that process.

SMSF administration and advice: Your SMSF administrator, accountant, auditor, and advisers will each have their own fee schedules for ongoing administration, accounting, audits, and advice.

Exchange fees: You pay transaction and spread fees charged by your chosen exchange or liquidity provider.

The Bitcoin Adviser: We typically charge a 1% annual fee (paid in Bitcoin) for collaborative security, custody coordination, estate planning protocols, and ongoing technical support. Exact terms are outlined in our client agreements.

All third-party fees are subject to change. Refer to your SMSF administrator, tax adviser, and exchange for their current fees and terms.

No. You cannot simply move personal Bitcoin into an SMSF wallet. Doing so would generally breach contribution and related-party rules. The usual path is:

• Sell personal Bitcoin (which may trigger tax events).
• Contribute cash to the SMSF within contribution caps.
• Have the SMSF purchase Bitcoin from cash via an exchange.

This has tax and compliance implications. Your SMSF administrator, accountant, and tax adviser must guide you.

Yes. SMSF members must normally be trustees (or directors of a corporate trustee). This is what gives you direct control over the SMSF’s investments, including Bitcoin in self-custody. Your SMSF administrator and legal adviser can explain trustee duties and compliance requirements.

Yes. You can have multiple vaults: for example, one for SMSF Bitcoin, one for personal Bitcoin, one for a family trust, etc. Each vault is segregated and never co-mingled, while still benefiting from the same collaborative security platform.

The ATO cares about whether the SMSF complies with its rules — not which wallet brand you use. Key points include:

• Fund assets must be clearly separate from personal assets.
• Ownership and control of Bitcoin must be demonstrable to the auditor.
• There must be appropriate documentation and record-keeping.
• The investment must satisfy the sole purpose test.

This is why collaborative security, clear records, and properly documented processes matter. Your SMSF professionals are responsible for advising you on ATO compliance.