IMF Recognizes Bitcoin in Global Economic Framework

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has formally integrated Bitcoin and other digital assets into its global economic reporting framework, reshaping how cryptocurrencies are classified in international finance.

This change is part of the IMF’s latest Balance of Payments Manual (BPM7), released on March 20, which introduces a new approach to categorizing and tracking crypto transactions across borders.

Digital assets are now classified into fungible and non-fungible tokens, with Bitcoin and similar cryptocurrencies treated as capital assets. Since these assets do not have corresponding liabilities, any cross-border transactions involving them will now be recorded in capital accounts as transfers of non-produced assets.

Stablecoins, on the other hand, are recognized as financial instruments, placing them alongside traditional financial assets in economic reports.

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The IMF also acknowledges that certain cryptocurrencies, such as Ethereum and Solana, could be categorized as equity-like assets if held by investors across different jurisdictions, making them comparable to foreign equity investments.

Additionally, the new guidelines address staking rewards, suggesting that earnings from staking could be considered similar to dividend payments depending on how the assets are used. This shift signals an evolving perspective on the role of crypto in the global financial system.

Alexander Stefanov