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)	Facebook	LinkedIn	Instagram
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