PwC is moving faster into crypto as U.S. digital-asset regulation becomes more defined. Paul Griggs, the firm’s U.S. senior partner, said PwC’s push into cryptocurrencies picked up pace in 2025, after Washington shifted toward a less restrictive tone and years of uncertainty began to ease.
The report points to July 18 as a major turning point. On that date, President Donald Trump signed the GENIUS Act (S.1582) into law, establishing a federal framework for stablecoins. The law allows banks and approved nonbank firms to issue stablecoins under clear reserve and disclosure requirements. Recent proposals from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or FDIC, are also described as efforts to simplify approvals and reduce state-level barriers for crypto firms.
Why PwC’s move matters to institutional adoption
As one of the Big Four professional services firms, PwC carries weight with traditional financial institutions. The article argues that deeper involvement from a major auditor and adviser can lower operational and compliance risk for institutions entering the crypto market. That matters more after the collapse of FTX, which increased demand for transparent audits and stronger risk controls.
Griggs said regulatory clarity and policy support are central to building confidence among institutions and expanding digital-asset adoption. PwC’s current focus includes stablecoin advisory, blockchain infrastructure, and audits of tokenized real-world assets such as bonds, funds, and commodities. As tokenized assets move closer to mainstream finance, demand for accounting, compliance, and advisory work is rising.
From early Bitcoin research to a global digital-assets practice
PwC’s work in crypto dates back to 2015–2016, when it researched Bitcoin adoption and experimented with blockchain tools including its Vulcan platform. Today, the firm operates a global digital-assets practice spanning more than 30 countries with over 350 specialists. Griggs said PwC has already seen steady growth in crypto-related audit and consulting work.
The article places that growth inside a wider institutional shift. According to Boston Consulting Group, pilot projects involving tokenized real-world assets reached $2.8 billion by 2025, signaling sustained interest from large market participants. AIMA survey data cited in the piece shows that more than 55% of traditional hedge funds had crypto exposure in 2025, up from 47% a year earlier. It also says 76% of global investors plan to increase digital-asset holdings, while nearly 60% expect to allocate more than 5% of assets under management to the sector.
PwC’s expansion is presented as a response to two forces moving at the same time: a clearer regulatory framework and stronger institutional demand. If other Big Four firms deepen their activity in the same way, the link between traditional finance and the on-chain economy may increasingly be built through audits, compliance work, infrastructure reviews, and verification of tokenized assets.