Cryptocurrency: The Accounting Perspective

Abstract : The purpose of this paper is to examine the issues regarding accounting for cryptocurrency. An in-depth study of accounting standards is performed to scrutinise their appropriateness for the accounting of cryptocurrency. This research paper focuses on significant accounting aspects which are relevant for crypto accounting. The title of this paper is pointing toward the issues related to accounting for cryptocurrency which requires clarification. This paper will help in understanding the characteristics of cryptocurrency having relevance to business for accounting for them correctly as cryptocurrency has characteristics of currency as well as assets and can act as inventory for some businesses. This paper will analyse the accounting standards and accounting of cryptocurrencies in the financial statement of a company. This paper will also examine the requirement of making amendments to existing accounting standards or having a new accounting standard for the financial reporting of cryptocurrency. The qualitative approach is used in this research. Secondary data is used for this study as previous literature regarding the topic is used for collecting the data through published resources including journals and books. This study finds that cryptocurrency cannot be considered as a currency because of some of its characteristics but can be considered as inventory or intangible assets on the basis of the business model as it has a quasi-currency and quasi-asset nature. The accounting for cryptocurrency needs stand-alone standards to simplify its reporting in the books of accounts to compare financial statements and to maintain consistency in the financial reporting of cryptocurrency. This research area has a lot of potential regarding clarification and guidance of experts for avoiding future issues regarding the accounting of cryptocurrency.