MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin value losses relieved by FASB

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Erin

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Jul 17, 2023
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The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) has made a significant decision to change the rules for corporate accounting, particularly for companies holding assets such as bitcoin. This decision will have a positive impact on companies like MicroStrategy, which have been pioneering the integration of bitcoin into corporate treasury. However, MicroStrategy has faced substantial write-downs, totaling $2.23 billion, mainly due to impairment charges.

The largest impairment charge of $917.8 million in the second quarter of 2022 raised concerns about the company’s intrinsic value and attracted negative publicity. To address these issues and better reflect the dynamic nature of cryptocurrencies, the FASB voted to allow fair value accounting for holdings in cryptocurrencies like bitcoin. This means that companies can now reflect gains and losses in their income statements in a timely manner.

For MicroStrategy, this rule change is a positive Development. Under the new rules, the company will no longer have to recognize impairment losses if the value of bitcoin declines during the reporting period. This change will help MicroStrategy and similar companies mitigate the negative optics associated with declines in the value of their digital assets. Michael Saylor, Executive Chairman of MicroStrategy, sees this as a significant milestone in facilitating the adoption of bitcoin as a corporate treasury asset.

Although the new accounting rules will officially take effect in 2025, companies like MicroStrategy have the option to adopt them earlier. Given the potential benefits and the desire to improve financial transparency, MicroStrategy is expected to take advantage of this option. Berenberg, a large German bank, maintains a Buy rating on MicroStrategy shares and has set a price target of $510, indicating confidence in the company’s ability to navigate the evolving cryptocurrency landscape.

Overall, the FASB’s decision to revise accounting rules is a crucial moment for companies like MicroStrategy. It provides an opportunity to present a more accurate financial picture in the cryptocurrency space. With the ability to adopt fair value accounting and the prospect of eliminating impairment losses, MicroStrategy and others could usher in a new era of financial reporting in the age of digital assets..

”blockchain”


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