How can accountants make sense of crypto?
In this Insights In Focus episode, we discuss the pros and cons of crypto and its impact on the work of finance professionals.
Blockchain and cryptoassets
Blockchain promises to be a disruptive technology for the accountancy and auditing professions. Based on this revolutionary record-keeping technology, cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin have been grabbing headline attention for over a decade. But the questions of how accountants can work with them – whether advising, recording, or auditing on cryptocurrency and other crypto-assets such as Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) – are still being explored. Here we collate useful information and resources on blockchain and cryptoassets.
Need to know
In this section
Features and articles
Using technology to optimise audit talent
New technologies are having a profound impact on audit and finance functions. Cloud, AI, blockchain and data and analytics are transforming the skills and focus of audit professionals.
Treasury and Bank of England release digital pound proposals
A consultation examines the assessment case for a central bank digital currency, which could have profound implications for consumers, businesses, banks and payment providers within the UK.
Why crypto is an opportunity for accountants
With more and more people dipping their toe into the world of crypto, accountants increasingly need to become experts in crypto tax compliance and financial planning. Daniel Howitt looks at how.
Treasury sets out plans to regulate crypto
ICAEW welcomes government plans to regulate crypto asset activities as an open consultation is launched seeking views on improving market integrity and consumer protection.
Helpsheets and guidance
Tools to fight back (ICAEW & IFAC AML – The Basics 9
Part 9 of ICAEW and IFAC joint series on the basics of anti-money laundering.
Virtual assets (ICAEW & IFAC AML – The Basics 8)
Part 8 of ICAEW and IFAC joint series on the basics of anti-money laundering.
Virtual assets (ICAEW & IFAC AML – The Basics 7)
Part 7 of ICAEW and IFAC joint series on the basics of anti-money laundering.
Tax and bitcoin sales
FAQ on the tax treatment of the sale of some bitcoin that a client was holding as an investment.
Webinars and recordings
Beyond Bitcoin
This webinar will evaluate the prospects for crypto in 2023 and beyond looking at what's hot and what's not.
Beyond Bitcoin: Cryptoassets and associated tax challenges in 2022
This webinar examines the advancements of the volatile crypto market and NFTs.
Tech essentials - cryptocurrency
Following on from the Tech Faculty’s Tech Essentials guide to cryptocurrency, David Lyford-Smith will cover how to handle cryptocurrencies.
Blockchain, bitcoin and the future of the accountancy profession
Join Mark Taylor and David Lyford-Smith of ICAEW, and Aynsley Damery of the Clarity Project, for the second in our series of IT Faculty ‘Tech Talks’, this time on the subject of blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and how these will affect the future of the accountancy profession.
Blockchain - a game changer in Accounting?
In this webinar, Ben Taylor, Partner, IT Advisory at EY, explains how Blockchain technology has the potential to streamline and accelerate business processes, increase cyber security and reduce or eliminate the roles of trusted intermediaries in industry after industry.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by external guest speakers in interviews or other publications included on this website are, by their nature, those of the speaker. They are not necessarily fully endorsed by the ICAEW or purport to reflect the official policies and views of the ICAEW or its members.
Industry press
The Library & Information Service provides a hand-picked collection of industry press articles as a benefit of membership. If you are unable to access an article, please see our Help and support or contact library@icaew.com
Distributed ledger technology: cutting through the paradox
Article discusses how distributed ledger technology (DLT) is expected to accelerate its transformation of the financial services industry but legal and regulatory frameworks for financial services have taken time to adapt. The author argues that it is essential that legal systems grappling with digital assets are mindful of the risks and pitfalls of inconsistency with other legal systems and a consistent application of governing law should be considered.
Coin of the realm
The article discusses the startup firm Worldcoin, particularly its marketing of its cryptocurrency by exchanging the digital currency in exchange for biometric information in several countries. The article describes the scanning process, privacy issues, and Worldcoin's pledge to delete the information following the ability of its artificial intelligence (AI) neural network to detect fraud.
Is Cryptocurrency the next supply chain finance tool?
Article discusses what impact cryptocurrency will have on supply chains and why it matters and is the early hype living up to expectations? Several use cases are provided that supply chain leaders can use to capitalise on Cryptocurrency for supply chain finance operations.
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Useful links
Blockchain: Legal and regulatory guidance
2nd edition of the Law Society's report on blockchain. Covers a range of key issues for legal practitioners to be aware of when advising on distributed ledger technology (DLT) related matters. Includes the growing types and uses of DLTs and their implications on areas of litigation including smart contracts, data and governance, blockchain consortia, data protection, intellectual property rights, dispute resolution, competition, tax and ESG.
NFTs: Legal, tax and accounting considerations you need to know
PwC report on the 'sparse guidance to date on various legal, regulatory, accounting, and tax issues related to NFTs' (Non-Fungible Token).
Accounting by holders of crypto-assets
EY publication that considers the accounting by holders of cyrpto-assets under IFRS.
What are cryptoassets (cryptocurrencies)?
BoE KnowledgeBank article giving background information on cyrptocurreny.
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