View source for 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 ===
{| class="wikitable"
! Company / Organization !! Description !! X (Twitter) !! Facebook !! LinkedIn !! Instagram
|-
| '''AICPA''' || American Institute of CPAs; hosted the symposium || [https://x.com/AICPA @AICPA] || [https://facebook.com/AICPA AICPA] || [https://linkedin.com/company/aicpa AICPA] || [https://instagram.com/aicpa @aicpa]
|-
| '''Wall Street Blockchain Alliance''' || Blockchain advocacy and education organization || [https://x.com/WSBA_NY @WSBA_NY] || [https://facebook.com/wallstreetblockchainalliance Wall Street Blockchain Alliance] || [https://linkedin.com/company/wsba Wall Street Blockchain Alliance] || N/A
|-
| '''Coinbase''' || Cryptocurrency exchange and market data provider || [https://x.com/coinbase @coinbase] || [https://facebook.com/coinbase Coinbase] || [https://linkedin.com/company/coinbase Coinbase] || [https://instagram.com/coinbase @coinbase]
|-
| '''JP Morgan''' || Bank developing blockchain and stablecoin projects || [https://x.com/jpmorgan @jpmorgan] || [https://facebook.com/jpmorganchase JPMorgan Chase] || [https://linkedin.com/company/jpmorganchase JPMorgan Chase & Co.] || [https://instagram.com/jpmorgan @jpmorgan]
|-
| '''Liberty City Ventures''' || Crypto and blockchain venture capital firm || [https://x.com/LibertyCityVC @LibertyCityVC] || N/A || [https://linkedin.com/company/liberty-city-ventures Liberty City Ventures] || N/A
|-
| '''RSM''' || Public accounting firm engaged in blockchain auditing || [https://x.com/RSMUSLLP @RSMUSLLP] || [https://facebook.com/RSMUSLLP RSM US LLP] || [https://linkedin.com/company/rsm-us-llp RSM US LLP] || [https://instagram.com/rsmusllp @rsmusllp]
|-
| '''PwC''' || Global professional services firm auditing crypto assets || [https://x.com/PwC @PwC] || [https://facebook.com/PwC PwC] || [https://linkedin.com/company/pwc PwC] || [https://instagram.com/pwc_global @pwc_global]
|-