The Australian Securities & Investments Commission also warned superannuation is an attractive target for scammers, and crypto-assets are a "high risk and speculative investment."
"ASIC is reminding superannuation fund members it is best practice to seek advice from a licensed financial adviser before agreeing to transfer superannuation out of a regulated fund into an SMSF," ASIC's statement read.
The rise of cryptocurrency has seen millions lost to online scams throughout the past 12 months.
A release from the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) revealed that Australians were on track to lose a total of $140 million by the end of 2021 to online scams.
ASIC's report cautioned those considering switching to an SMSF to seek advice from a licensed financial adviser.
"Do not rely on social media ads or online contact from someone promoting an investment opportunity," ASIC said.
"Be wary of people ‘cold calling’, text messaging, or emailing you with a recommendation to transfer your super to an SMSF, or invest in crypto-assets via your SMSF."
Also read:
Investing into crypto-assets
"Australians who decide to self-manage their super should consider the risks before using their SMSF to invest in crypto-assets," ASIC said.
"As the trustee of your SMSF, you ultimately bear responsibility for the fund’s decisions and for complying with the law even if you rely on other people’s advice – licensed or otherwise.
"If you decide to set up an SMSF, you should seek professional advice to determine what investments to make.
"There are rules governing investments the SMSF can make and taxation consequences for investments, including cryptocurrencies."
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Looking to take control of your retirement? This table below features SMSF loans with some of the most competitive interest rates on the market.
Lender | Home Loan | Interest Rate | Comparison Rate* | Monthly Repayment | Repayment type | Rate Type | Offset | Redraw | Ongoing Fees | Upfront Fees | Max LVR | Lump Sum Repayment | Additional Repayments | Split Loan Option | Tags | Features | Link | Compare | Promoted Product | Disclosure |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6.99% p.a. | 7.01% p.a. | $3,323 | Principal & Interest | Variable | $null | $720 | 70% |
| Promoted | Disclosure | ||||||||||
7.19% p.a. | 7.74% p.a. | $3,391 | Principal & Interest | Variable | $395 | $null | 60% |
| Promoted | Disclosure | ||||||||||
7.24% p.a. | 7.26% p.a. | $3,407 | Principal & Interest | Variable | $0 | $710 | 70% | Disclosure | ||||||||||||
7.25% p.a. | 7.65% p.a. | $3,411 | Principal & Interest | Variable | $30 | $825 | 80% | |||||||||||||
7.74% p.a. | 7.76% p.a. | $3,579 | Principal & Interest | Variable | $0 | $710 | 80% | Disclosure | ||||||||||||
7.75% p.a. | 7.83% p.a. | $3,582 | Principal & Interest | Variable | $0 | $995 | 80% | |||||||||||||
7.49% p.a. | 7.51% p.a. | $3,493 | Principal & Interest | Variable | $0 | $720 | 80% |
| Promoted | Disclosure |
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