More than 2,300 US businesses accept bitcoin, according to one estimate from late 2020, and that doesn’t include bitcoin ATMs. An increasing number of companies worldwide are using bitcoin and other digital assets for a host of investment, operational, and transactional purposes.
The use of crypto for conducting business presents a host of opportunities and challenges. As with any frontier, there are both unknown dangers and strong incentives. That’s why companies venturing to use crypto in their businesses should have two things: a clear understanding of why they are undertaking that action and a list of the many questions they should consider.
This paper endeavors to provide you and your company with an overview of the kinds of questions and insights enterprises should consider as they determine whether and how to use crypto. So, if your company plans to participate in crypto, it’s important to think ahead, prepare, and engage in a thoughtful manner.
(For considerations related to investing in crypto currencies and digital assets, please consult Deloitte’s complementary report, Corporates investing in crypto: Considerations regarding allocations to digital assets.)
Two primary paths for using crypto
The first question to ask when considering using crypto in your company’s operations is: Do we hold crypto on our balance sheet or simply adopt crypto-enabled payments? To determine the right path for your business, you need to make a careful determination of the best fit for your business objectives. Consider the potential benefits, drawbacks, costs, risks, system requirements, and more. The following sections will provide some broad considerations around two different paths as your company embarks on its crypto journey.