A major milestone in financial reporting has arrived: Bitcoin and select crypto assets will now be officially included in national wealth accounts, thanks to a sweeping update to international accounting standards.
The new rules, led by the UN Statistical Commission and coordinated by the IMF, classify crypto as “non-produced nonfinancial assets”—a step short of GDP inclusion, but a leap forward in formal recognition.
This global shift aims to modernize how countries capture digital-era value. Alongside crypto, the updated System of National Accounts (SNA) introduces frameworks for tracking cloud infrastructure, AI tools, and platform-based services—areas that traditional metrics have long failed to address.
The IMF, a key contributor to the overhaul, underscored the importance of reflecting crypto’s economic footprint, noting its increasing relevance to financial systems, policy decisions, and risk assessments.
One immediate implication falls on El Salvador, whose government claims to hold over 6,000 BTC. Under the new framework, such holdings will now be included in its national balance sheets. Though El Salvador agreed to scale back Bitcoin promotion in a 2024 loan deal with the IMF, President Bukele’s administration has continued its crypto push.
The revised standards are expected to roll out globally by 2029–30, helping countries bring shadow assets like crypto into the light—and offering new visibility into the role digital value plays in national economies.
Alexander Stefanov
Reporter at Coindoo
Alex is an experienced financial journalist and cryptocurrency enthusiast. With over 8 years of experience covering the crypto, blockchain, and fintech industries, he is well-versed in the complex and ever-evolving world of digital assets. His insightful and thought-provoking articles provide readers with a clear picture of the latest developments and trends in the market. His approach allows him to break down complex ideas into accessible and in-depth content. Follow his publications to stay up to date with the most important trends and topics.
Source: https://coindoo.com/bitcoin-enters-official-wealth-stats-as-global-accounting-rules-evolve/