The CFO Perspective: Managing risk in digital asset markets

The CFO perspective: Managing Risk in Digital Asset Markets

The digital assets landscape is reshaping finance, demanding sharp oversight from CFOs

Panellists: 

• Ian Taylor, Chief Operating Officer and Partner, ht.digital and Board Advisor, CryptoUK
• Audris Siow, Head of Institutional Partnerships, Bitvavo
• Bradley Howell, UK Managing Director, Keyrock
• Stephen Cartwright, Director, Fieldfisher
• Moderator: Liz Pfeuti, Rhotic Media

The opening panel session at BLINC LIVE! explored what digital assets really mean for today’s finance leaders. Panellists began by addressing the central question: why should a CFO care about digital assets? One panellist noted a comparison with the early days of the internet, arguing that while initial scepticism was understandable, the technology ultimately reshaped entire industries. 

Digital assets, the panel agreed, may be following a similar path, with crypto no longer niche. Stablecoins are already being used to move money across borders faster and more efficiently than some traditional systems allow. Meanwhile, client demand for exposure to digital assets is increasing, and even firms that don’t directly hold crypto could find themselves indirectly affected.

Panellists discussed operational challenges, including how accounting treatment remains complex, particularly where existing rules classify digital assets as intangible assets. One panellist noted that this can distort balance sheets, as assets may be written down but not marked up in line with market value. Others highlighted the practical difficulty of proving ownership of on-chain assets in a way that satisfies auditors and regulators. 

Another key focus was the core tensions between real-time digital markets and traditional risk management tools, with one panellist highlighting the need for alignment and the use of real-time surveillance. The panel examined the importance of internal risk management frameworks, and the role of external regulation in shaping market standards and compliance.

On liquidity management, the panel discussed how crypto’s ‘always‑on’ instant settlement can create liquidity strain and timing gaps for treasury teams, though the potential for faster settlement and better capital efficiency is a compelling argument.

Regulation was described as both a challenge and an opportunity. Although compliance requirements are increasing, there was consensus that clearer frameworks could strengthen market confidence and support long-term sustainability. One panellist suggested that regulation may ultimately favour firms that can combine financial discipline with technological agility.

The panel discussed how larger firms can drive innovation as smaller, crypto-native firms become nimbler. This will include adapting to new technologies and regulations while benefiting from the resources and expertise of larger firms. 

Closing the session, panellists agreed that as digital assets become embedded in markets, CFOs are increasingly positioned as strategic architects of capital deployment. They are well placed to harness the opportunities of blockchain infrastructure for real-time reporting, improved transparency and greater visibility over capital and liquidity.