The invention of blockchain technology has radically changed the perception of how monetary systems can be structured and operated. Central banks and state authorities mostly refuse to acknowledge that cryptocurrencies are money, yet the number of payment transactions using cryptocurrencies is increasing and cryptocurrencies form a non-negligible stake of wealth. As with other economic phenomena, cryptocurrencies shall be addressed in the financial statements of the entities using them, albeit without any accounting guidance in current financial reporting standards. This paper fills this void by suggesting, comparing, and assessing potential accounting models under IFRS. Based on evidence from literature review, as well as recent time-series data on the price volatility of cryptocurrencies, the paper shows that fair value accounting is the most relevant source of useful information for users of financial statements when cryptocurrencies are acquired for investment purposes. Furthermore, the paper identifies scenarios under which cryptocurrencies shall be treated as (foreign) currencies, even though financial system regulators do not consider cryptocurrencies as being money (fiat currency).
Abstract:Fair value measurement became pervasive to fi nancial reporting over last 20 years. Under fair value accounting, entities are obliged or permitted to measure particular assets and liabilities at their fair values as at the reporting dates. Fair value is a current market-based hypothetical value. This market value is not always directly observable. The debate on usefulness of fair value accounting has arisen in connection with the fi nancial crunch and economic crisis in years [2007][2008][2009]. The opponents of fair value accounting insist on that fi nancial reporting based on fair value measurement has accelerated the fi nancial crisis and signifi cantly worsened the impact on affected companies. On the other hand, there are several important opinions in favour of fair value accounting. The paper aim is to contribute to the actual debate whether fair value accounting played the role of a messenger or a mover in the recent fi nancial crunch and subsequent economic recession and to analyse the characteristics of fair value accounting from the economic point of view.
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