Crypto-assets

Background

Crypto-assets are digital assets that are stored on distributed ledgers that utilise cryptography for security. One of the most commonly known subsets of crypto-assets is cryptocurrencies. The market for crypto-assets is fast evolving. Over the past few years, Hong Kong has seen a growing amount of activity related to crypto-assets, including funds, initial coin offerings, exchanges and custodian services.

Accounting for crypto-assets under HKFRS/IFRS

HKFRS/IFRS Standards do not explicitly discuss crypto-asset transactions. Consequently, companies may need to apply judgment as to how to account for such transactions.

At its meeting in November 2018, the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) considered feedback from the IFRS Interpretations Committee and national standard-setters, and the prevalence of crypto related transactions by IFRS reporting companies, and decided not to undertake any standard-setting on crypto-assets at the current time. Instead, the IASB decided to continue to monitor the development of crypto-assets and ask the IFRS Interpretations Committee to consider publishing an agenda decision to explain how entities apply existing IFRS Standards to holdings of cryptocurrencies.

In June 2019, the IFRS Interpretations Committee published an agenda decision on how to apply IFRS Standards to holdings of cryptocurrencies.

The HKICPA is monitoring the developments of crypto-assets and the global discussions on the accounting treatments. The HKICPA responded to the IFRS Interpretations Committee’s invitation to comment on the above agenda decision and provided input to the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) research project on crypto-assets. 

Technical Resources

This section contains relevant guidance and publications on accounting for crypto-asset transactions. Click on the links below for a quick access to relevant resources.

Useful references on IFRS/HKFRS issued by Standard Setters

IFRS Interpretations Committee

• Agenda decision on holdings of cryptocurrencies

HKICPA

• HKICPA’s response to the IFRS Interpretations Committee tentative agenda decision on holdings of cryptocurrencies
• HKICPA’s response to EFRAG’s questionnaire on crypto-assets

Useful references issued by regulators

Securities and Futures Commission

• News, circulars and guidelines on virtual assets

Useful references issued by other organisations

Deloitte

• Cryptocurrency: Financial reporting implications

EY

• IFRS: Accounting for crypto-assets
• Accounting by holders of crypto-assets
• The valuation of crypto-assets

KPMG

• Crypto-assets – accounting and tax: what’s the impact on your financial statements?

PwC

• Cryptographic assets and related transactions: accounting considerations under IFRS

Chartered Business Valuators Institute

• Valuing crypto-assets - new research looking at current practices

Local Standards issued by Standard Setters

Accounting Standards Board of Japan

• Practical solution on the accounting for virtual currencies under the Japanese’s Payment Services Act

French Accounting Standards Authority

• Accounting treatments of initial coin offerings and tokens in France

Last updated: 15 January 2020