CFOs warm to crypto with 99% envisioning long-term use, Deloitte survey says

Chief financial officers across some of North America's larger companies are coming around to the idea that cryptocurrencies could play a key role in how they manage their organization's finances, according to a new report from Deloitte Insights published Thursday.

The research firm, which is part of the larger Deloitte group, said 99% of responding CFOs envisioned "using cryptocurrency for business functions in the long term." The survey , conducted during the second quarter of this year, polled 200 CFOs at North American companies which generate at least $1 billion in revenue, the firm also said.

Twenty-three percent of polled CFOs said "their treasury departments will utilize crypto for either investments or payments within the next two years," Deloitte Insights also said, adding that the percentage jumped to nearly 40% for CFOs managing larger organizations, specifically those with $10 billion or more in revenues.

Deloitte Insights noted cryptocurrencies are "edging" their way into the mainstream amid major political developments including President Donald Trump ordering the creation of a strategic Bitcoin reserve and the passing of the GENIUS Act, which has provided regulatory clarity around digital assets.

But the research firm said "corporate acceptance has come somewhat slower," given many CFOs harbor concerns related to crypto's potential for price volatility.

"When asked about their biggest worries related to investing in cryptocurrency, 43% of CFOs cited price volatility," the report said. "That’s not particularly surprising, given that the value of non-stable cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin has seen considerable price fluctuations in the past."

Deloitte Insights' report comes out on the heels of dozens of publicly-traded companies recently beginning to stockpile cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana, with some companies making the accumulation of a specific digital asset their chief business function.

The research firm said some of the polled CFOs appear keen to eventually add crypto to their balance sheet.

"Fifteen percent of surveyed CFOs believe their treasury departments will likely purchase non-stable cryptocurrencies as part of their investment strategies over the next 24 months," Deloitte Insights said. "Respondents at organizations with revenues of US$10 billion and up were even more likely to tick the box. Nearly 1 in 4 (24%) said their finance departments will likely invest in non-stable cryptocurrencies over the next two years."