PwC Deepens Crypto Push as U.S. Rules Shift and Stablecoins Go Mainstream

• PwC is scaling crypto audit and consulting as U.S. stablecoin and tokenization rules become clearer.
• Regulatory clarity from the GENIUS Act is reducing risk barriers for institutional crypto engagement.
• Stablecoins are emerging as a focus area for payments efficiency within regulated financial systems.

PwC is expanding its engagement with cryptocurrency-related services as regulatory clarity in the United States reshapes how large professional services firms interact with digital asset markets. According to a report published by the Financial Times, the firm is adjusting its audit and consulting strategy in response to clearer rules governing stablecoins and tokenization, areas that had previously been constrained by regulatory uncertainty.

The renewed focus reflects a broader recalibration within the professional services sector, where clearer legislative and regulatory signals are allowing firms to reassess how they serve crypto-focused clients. For PwC, the shift centers on stablecoins, tokenization, and the supporting infrastructure that institutions are increasingly evaluating under evolving U.S. rules.

PwC and the Impact of Changing U.S. Regulation

Paul Griggs, PwC’s U.S. senior partner and chief executive, said the firm plans to increase its involvement in crypto-related work as new legislation and rulemaking reduce ambiguity. Speaking to the Financial Times, Griggs cited recent U.S. developments, including the passage of the GENIUS Act, as central to this reassessment. He described stablecoin regulation as a key factor that is making it easier for institutions and service providers to engage with digital assets at scale.

According to Griggs, clearer rules are creating internal conviction that previously did not exist. He said the GENIUS Act, along with regulatory guidance surrounding stablecoins, is helping define expectations around compliance, risk management, and operational standards. These factors, he noted, are essential for large firms that rely on repeatable processes and consistent oversight when serving clients.

Tokenization was also identified as an area of continued expansion. Griggs said PwC needs to maintain a presence in that ecosystem as assets, payment mechanisms, and financial infrastructure increasingly move toward blockchain-based formats under regulatory supervision.

From Caution to Structured Engagement

For several years, PwC and other large accounting firms kept crypto-related work limited, largely due to enforcement actions and inconsistent regulatory interpretation in the United States. This environment made it challenging to assess legal exposure, design standardized compliance frameworks, and consistently support clients across jurisdictions.

That posture has begun to change following a shift in U.S. regulatory tone after Donald Trump’s reelection. The Financial Times report noted that regulators have adopted a more constructive approach toward digital assets, particularly stablecoins and tokenization frameworks. As a result, the outlook for crypto-related infrastructure and institutional participation has improved.

PwC’s decision to deepen its involvement signals how large professional services firms are responding to these changes. Rather than remaining on the sidelines, the firm is preparing to support clients as digital assets become more integrated into regulated financial systems.

PwC Expands Focus Across Audit and Consulting

PwC plans to be more actively involved across both its audit and consulting lines, according to the report. This includes supporting clients with compliance requirements, accounting treatment, and operational planning related to digital assets. As stablecoins and tokenized assets move closer to mainstream financial use, institutions are increasingly seeking guidance on how these products fit within existing regulatory and reporting frameworks.

Audit services are expected to remain a key area of focus, as stablecoin issuers and firms holding digital assets face increasing scrutiny regarding their reserves, disclosures, and governance. Consulting services are also poised for expansion, particularly as clients assess how to integrate stablecoins into payment systems or explore tokenization strategies within defined regulatory frameworks.

Stablecoins and Payment System Efficiency

A central theme in PwC’s expanded crypto engagement is the potential use of stablecoins to improve payment efficiency. The firm has been advising clients on how stablecoins could be applied to settlement processes, including faster cross-border transactions and programmable payment flows. These discussions align with broader industry interest in alternatives to traditional payment rails.

Banks and fintech firms have increasingly examined stablecoins as tools for reducing settlement times and operational friction. PwC’s involvement focuses on how such use cases intersect with compliance obligations, accounting standards, and regulatory expectations. The firm has emphasized that clearer stablecoin rules are making it easier for institutions to evaluate these applications without operating in legal uncertainty.

The Financial Times report noted that this focus on payments has become more common as regulated entities explore how digital assets can function within existing financial systems rather than outside them.