Thursday, 17 June 2021 17:10

Grant Thornton: Bitcoin, implications of its implementation in El Salvador

Written by Alondra Gutiérrez

During the event held by Grant Thornton, which discussed the legal, accounting, tax and technology implications that this change will generate and the changes that companies will have to undertake in order to accept this cryptocurrency as a means of payment in El Salvador.

According to Luis Pastor, who is a Partner of Innovation and Technology, expert in Blockchain, from Spain, gave a clear concept about cryptocurrencies, which are a digital representation of value that can be exchanged and operated as any other traditional currency in a given Blockchain.

For the Blockchain expert, he points out some of the implications in the implementation with respect to Bitcoin mentioned the following:

  • Complexity in adoption
  • Votality
  • Transactionality and associated costs
  • Security
  • Lack of international regulation
  • Identification of the parties to a transaction

Among the speakers who chaired the event, Ricardo Lopez, CEO and Tax Partner in El Salvador, provided the respective operational considerations in order to better adapt the Bitcoin, which are as follows:

  • Adapt information systems in order to prepare for the collection of Bitcoin as a means of payment.
  • Adapt the internal control in order to keep track of the acquisition of this "intangible asset" either as a direct purchase or as a means of payment or VAT reimbursement.
  • Identify mechanisms for the prompt conversion of Bitcoin to US dollars.

Likewise, he provides some recommendations regarding the legislator and the presented articles of the Bitcoin Law:

  • Modify Art.1: that this means of payment does not have the status of legal tender.
  • Modify Art.7: so that the acceptance of Bitcoin is not mandatory.
  • Review the treatment for VAT purposes and harmonize it with the Law.

According to Grant Thornton International, in the case of El Salvador, all accounting, tax, regulatory and technology issues will have to be taken into account, since Bitcoin will be the only means of payment to buy and sell, which will surely cause an adaptation on the part of the population and companies to be able to accept, safeguard and adapt the technology to this change that the country is assuming.