Crypto accounting under IFRS
There's no crypto-specific IFRS standard — so crypto is accounted for under existing ones, mainly as an intangible asset. That has real consequences for how gains, losses, and impairment hit your statements. This page explains the IFRS treatment and how CryptaCount applies it.
General information, not accounting advice. Confirm the right treatment for your facts with your auditor or advisor.
The IFRS position
Following the IFRS Interpretations Committee's analysis, crypto holdings generally fall under one of two standards:
- IAS 2 (Inventories) — if you hold crypto for sale in the ordinary course of business (e.g. as a broker-trader), it's inventory.
- IAS 38 (Intangible Assets) — otherwise, crypto is an intangible asset (it's identifiable, non-monetary, and without physical substance).
Most holders land on IAS 38.
Cost vs revaluation under IAS 38
Under IAS 38, you choose between two models:
- Cost model — carry crypto at cost less any impairment (under IAS 36). Impairment losses can be reversed (up to the original cost) if value recovers — a key difference from US GAAP's old rules.
- Revaluation model — carry crypto at fair value, but only where there's an active market; revaluation gains generally go to other comprehensive income rather than profit or loss.
This is a meaningful divergence from US GAAP, which now requires fair value through net income for in-scope crypto. Crypto accounting under US GAAP →
Why measurement choice matters
Your choice of standard, model, and impairment approach changes your reported earnings, your asset values, and what your auditors test — so it needs to be applied consistently and documented.
How CryptaCount helps with IFRS
- Supports the measurement basis you choose — historical cost or fair value
- Applies impairment under IAS 36 (with reversals where permitted) and lower-of-cost-or-net-realisable-value under IAS 2
- Produces journal entries that post to your ledger under your chosen policy
- Keeps a complete, traceable trail for your auditors
Compliance & reporting → · The crypto sub-ledger →
General information, not accounting advice. Verify with your auditor or advisor.
FAQ
There's no crypto-specific standard. Crypto is usually an intangible asset under IAS 38, or inventory under IAS 2 if held for sale by a broker-trader.
Only under IAS 38's revaluation model, and only where there's an active market — with gains typically going to other comprehensive income, not profit or loss. Otherwise it's cost less impairment.
Yes — under IAS 36, impairment of crypto (as an intangible) can be reversed up to original cost if value recovers, unlike the old US GAAP approach.
US GAAP now requires fair value through net income for in-scope crypto, while IFRS generally uses cost-or-revaluation under IAS 38.
Yes. It supports your chosen measurement basis and impairment model (including IAS 36 with reversals) and posts the resulting entries with a full audit trail.