The International Monetary Fund (IMF) updated its global balance of payments framework to formally integrate digital assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana, marking the first major revision to its Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual (BPM7) since 2009. Published on March 20, 2025, the new guidelines categorize cryptocurrencies based on their underlying structures and liabilities, aiming to standardize how nations track cross-border crypto transactions and their macroeconomic impacts.
Bitcoin and similar unbacked digital assets are classified as “non-produced nonfinancial assets” under the capital account, requiring countries to record their cross-border transfers as acquisitions or disposals akin to commodities like gold. Stablecoins and liability-backed tokens, however, fall under financial instruments within the financial account due to their ties to monetary reserves or issuer obligations. Platform-based tokens such as Ethereum and Solana receive equity-like treatment when held internationally, mirroring traditional equity investments for foreign holders.
The IMF also addressed crypto-related economic activities by defining staking rewards and yield-bearing products as income sources comparable to dividends, recorded under current accounts. Validating transactions—whether through mining or staking—is recognized as a service export, expanding how nations account for blockchain activity. The guidelines emerged after extensive consultations with 160 countries, with the IMF aiming for global adoption by 2029–2030.
The update reflects growing institutional recognition of cryptocurrencies while addressing regulatory gaps in tracking their macroeconomic influence. IMF officials emphasized the need for standardized reporting to assess risks and opportunities in an increasingly digital economy, noting the framework’s flexibility to adapt as markets evolve.
Sources:
https://www.crowdfundinsider.com/2025/03/237648-imf-updates-global-economic-standards-to-include-digital-assets-like-bitcoin/
Crucial Step: IMF Incorporates Digital Assets Guidance into Global Statistical Standards
https://www.tronweekly.com/imf-classifies-bitcoin-as-key-economic-asset/
https://www.chaincatcher.com/en/article/2173788
