Bitcoin and stablecoins are now officially classified under IMF’s financial framework, marking a shift in how digital assets are recorded globally.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has formally included Bitcoin and other digital assets in its latest Balance of Payments Manual (BPM7). However, it sets a global standard for tracking crypto-related financial activity.
Despite not recognising them as legal currency, the update provides a structured approach to classifying and reporting digital assets across borders.
Under the new framework, Bitcoin is a non-produced, non-financial asset, similar to land or natural resources. Stablecoins such as USDT and USDC are classified as financial instruments due to their backing by reserves and issuer liabilities.
The guidelines also cover crypto-related services, including staking and mining, ensuring greater transparency in international economic data.
The IMF’s decision coincides with increasing government involvement in Bitcoin. The US has established a strategic Bitcoin reserve, holding an estimated 200,000 BTC.
Meanwhile, El Salvador is accumulating Bitcoin despite IMF conditions tied to its financial aid package. These moves highlight Bitcoin’s growing role in national economic strategies, even as its legal status remains debated.
Reactions to the IMF’s update have been mixed. Some in the crypto community view it as a step toward Bitcoin’s mainstream acceptance.
Others argue it is merely a technical change in statistical reporting. Regardless, the new framework ensures that digital assets are officially accounted for in global financial data, potentially influencing future regulations and policies.
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