Businesses are excited about digital assets. With new regulatory frameworks such as the GENIUS Act accelerating crypto adoption into mainstream finance. Simply put, crypto is reshaping payment methods, allowing businesses to speed up settlements and reach a new, potentially global user base.
Microsoft accepts crypto payments for some of its services. PayPal, which has integrated cryptocurrency into its platform, allows its users to buy and sell digital currencies and ultimately wade into digital asset waters.
The idea of going to a coffee shop and paying with digital assets is no longer a mere vision of the future but something that is quickly becoming possible. But operating in crypto has its own set of requirements, including vastly different accounting needs, and businesses need to be aware they won’t be able to simply force crypto into traditional accounting frameworks.
The reality is that digital assets require a digital-first approach to accounting. Companies that have over 100 crypto transactions per year or deal with two or more crypto assets will face unsustainable accounting headaches, and will likely struggle to close their books. Digital assets valuation can be complex, sometimes changing at the blink of an eye, and this can impact businesses’ financial statements, reporting periods and ultimately revenue recognition.
Revenue recognition is not straightforward, as businesses must calculate crypto payment revenue based on the fair market value at the time of receipt, which can fluctuate. The very ethos of crypto’s decentralization introduces a challenge for auditors to verify and certify wallet ownership. There is no single central authority that can verify wallet ownership, which means finance teams must conduct their own due diligence.
Digital assets require a digital ledger that is built around the way crypto moves, functions and exists. To save time and money when closing their books, businesses need to move toward an accounting system that is crypto-native. Accepting crypto payments presents many potential opportunities for businesses, but being able to handle those payments without ballooning resources is a challenge that must be solved early.
Adapting now also allows businesses to reap significant rewards. With the right technology and processes in place, crypto accounting can actually be even easier and more efficient than traditional accounting is today. Once a digital ledger is established and plugged into the crypto ecosystem, accounting can be largely automated.
For businesses operating at high volume in crypto transactions, solving the basic crypto accounting problem will unlock major opportunities to optimize financial strategy. This includes illuminating tax loss harvesting possibilities, discovering opportunities to rebalance exposures, and leveraging insights for intelligent cash flow and treasury management.
In 2026, many more businesses are likely to enter the era of everyday crypto, taking important steps to evolve our financial system and create a more streamlined way to buy, sell and move money. Regulators are preparing, consumers are preparing – now it’s time that accounting prepares too. This year we’ve seen major signals that digital assets have reached an inflection point.
Regulatory momentum, including the GENIUS Act, is accelerating crypto adoption into mainstream finance. Crypto is reshaping payments, enabling faster settlements and broader global reach. This month, Square began accepting Bitcoin, while Microsoft and PayPal have expanded crypto services, signaling growing merchant and consumer engagement.
However, crypto demands a digital-first approach to accounting. Companies with numerous crypto transactions or multiple assets face complex valuation, revenue recognition, and reporting implications. There is no central authority to verify wallet ownership, so finance teams must perform due diligence, and systems must be crypto-native to automate processes and reduce costs.
Adopting crypto-native ledgers unlocks efficiencies and strategic opportunities, from tax loss harvesting to better cash flow management. By 2026, crypto could become commonplace for everyday business, and regulators and consumers are preparing—it’s time for accounting to keep pace.
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