After years of tiptoeing around cryptocurrency like a cautious cat near water, PwC has jumped in with both feet. The accounting giant’s US boss Paul Griggs recently announced the firm is leaning hard into crypto work, marking a dramatic shift from its previously careful stance. This wasn’t just a casual announcement—it signals PwC believes cryptocurrency has finally grown up.
PwC’s dramatic pivot to crypto work signals the accounting giant’s belief that digital assets have matured into legitimate business infrastructure.
What changed? The Trump administration appointed pro-crypto regulators and Congress passed landmark digital asset legislation. The GENIUS Act created a clear framework for stablecoins, which are cryptocurrencies pegged to stable assets like the dollar. The SEC approved listing standards for crypto exchange-traded products, making it easier for funds to launch. Suddenly, the regulatory fog lifted, and PwC saw its path forward.
The firm now offers services spanning everything from enterprise strategy to cybersecurity. PwC works with crypto exchanges, custodians, payment processors, and digital asset banks. They help token issuers navigate accounting, taxes, and compliance. They even assist governments and central banks figure out this brave new world. PwC also leverages machine learning to enhance risk management and predictive abilities for clients.
PwC seems especially excited about stablecoins, which they believe can revolutionize cross-border payments. Instead of viewing crypto as pure speculation, the firm pitches it as infrastructure that makes moving money faster and cheaper. They emphasize wallet infrastructure for auditability and integration with existing business systems—the unsexy plumbing that makes everything work.
Compliance requirements are ramping up too. Starting January 2026, crypto providers must collect and share user data with tax authorities in places like the Netherlands. The first report covering 2026 transactions is due January 31, 2027. This requires serious investment in IT systems and administrative processes. Providers face administrative fines up to €1,030,000 for inaccurate or incomplete reporting, underscoring the high stakes of compliance failures.
PwC’s embrace reflects broader Wall Street movement toward crypto. Banking agencies recently rescinded requirements for pre-approval of digital asset activities. The Big Four accounting firms previously avoided crypto due to regulatory uncertainty and fraud risks. Now they see opportunities as the sector matures from wild west speculation to legitimate enterprise infrastructure. Deloitte published its inaugural digital assets roadmap in May 2025, offering guidance on accounting and risk disclosure for tokens.
CFOs are focusing less on issuing new tokens and more on practical treasury matters like wallet governance. With regulations clarifying and institutional players entering, cryptocurrency is finally going mainstream.
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