Bitcoin and other crypto assets have been formally recognized in global economic measurement standards for the first time, marking a major shift in how digital assets are treated within national financial systems.
The change comes through a revised System of National Accounts (SNA)—the world’s primary framework for tracking national income and wealth—approved by the United Nations Statistical Commission. Developed with input from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other global financial bodies, the update classifies eligible crypto assets as “non-produced nonfinancial assets.”
While this new category excludes Bitcoin and similar assets from GDP calculations, it ensures they are now reflected on national balance sheets. This signals growing global acknowledgment of cryptocurrencies’ role in both private and public sector portfolios.
The IMF noted that this revision is part of a broader modernization effort to capture how digitization is reshaping economies. By including crypto in wealth statistics, governments will have clearer visibility into the potential macroeconomic impact of digital asset adoption.
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The change comes at a time when central banks and sovereign wealth funds are increasingly exploring Bitcoin as part of reserve strategies, and when regulation of digital assets is tightening globally.
Though crypto assets currently represent a modest portion of total global wealth, their rapid adoption and price volatility have created systemic relevance. Formal recognition in economic statistics could pave the way for more consistent policy frameworks, tax reporting standards, and regulatory clarity across jurisdictions.
With this move, Bitcoin takes a step closer to mainstream financial legitimacy—not just as a speculative asset, but as a recognized component of national wealth.
Kosta Gushterov
Kosta has been working in the crypto industry for over 4 years. He strives to present different perspectives on a given topic and enjoys the sector for its transparency and dynamism. In his work, he focuses on balanced coverage of events and developments in the crypto space, providing information to his readers from a neutral perspective.
