ATL227
Episode ATL227: AICPA Blockchain Symposium 2025
Recording Date: October 9, 2025
Duration: 51:33
Hosts: Randy Johnston and Brian F. Tankersley, CPA.CITP, CGMA
Series: Accounting Technology Lab Podcast
Source: CPA Practice Advisor
Summary
In this episode, Randy Johnston and Brian F. Tankersley recap the highlights of the 2025 AICPA Blockchain Symposium — the eighth annual event exploring blockchain, cryptocurrency, and digital assets. They discuss U.S. regulatory uncertainty under the new administration, the emergence of stablecoins and tokenization, and ongoing challenges in DeFi (Decentralized Finance). The hosts highlight new tax and audit developments, including the 1099-DA reporting form, as well as privacy, fraud, and compliance issues surrounding digital assets. They emphasize the growing role of CPAs in navigating blockchain assurance, digital asset audits, and interoperability between chains. Despite volatility, they agree that blockchain and crypto are here to stay.
Key Quotes
- “There’s too much value tied up in crypto to completely go away at this point.” — Brian Tankersley (02:45)
- “Twenty-eight percent of Americans hold cryptocurrency — that’s 65 million people!” — Randy Johnston (08:50)
- “A stablecoin is like a fully backed casino chip.” — Randy Johnston (22:10)
- “A smart contract is neither smart nor a contract.” — Randy Johnston (40:40)
- “Even though we’re 17 years in, it still feels like we just left the port.” — Brian Tankersley (48:50)
- “Defi is decentralized finance — and identifying who your counterparty is can be impossible.” — Brian Tankersley (31:05)
- “Fraud still makes up about 20% of crypto activity — the other 80% is legitimate.” — Randy Johnston (06:40)
Companies, Products, and Services Mentioned
| Company / Organization | Description | X (Twitter) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AICPA | American Institute of CPAs; hosted the symposium | @AICPA | AICPA | AICPA | @aicpa |
| Wall Street Blockchain Alliance | Blockchain advocacy and education organization | @WSBA_NY | Wall Street Blockchain Alliance | Wall Street Blockchain Alliance | N/A |
| Coinbase | Cryptocurrency exchange and market data provider | @coinbase | Coinbase | Coinbase | @coinbase |
| JP Morgan | Bank developing blockchain and stablecoin projects | @jpmorgan | JPMorgan Chase | JPMorgan Chase & Co. | @jpmorgan |
| Liberty City Ventures | Crypto and blockchain venture capital firm | @LibertyCityVC | N/A | Liberty City Ventures | N/A |
| RSM | Public accounting firm engaged in blockchain auditing | @RSMUSLLP | RSM US LLP | RSM US LLP | @rsmusllp |
| PwC | Global professional services firm auditing crypto assets | @PwC | PwC | PwC | @pwc_global |
