As 2025 comes to an end, it is time to take stock of what has happened in the crypto market and what can be expected in 2026. From a market perspective, 2025 can be described as a breakthrough year for global crypto adoption — not only among retail investors, but increasingly within the financial mainstream. The year ahead is likely to bring further adoption, alongside deeper and more coordinated regulation, particularly in the area of cross-border transactions.

Regulation reshaped the global crypto landscape

For observers of crypto regulation, December 2024 already feels distant. The global policy landscape has changed dramatically over the past twelve months, with an unprecedented pace of regulatory development that shows little sign of slowing. Many of the key rules shaping today’s crypto environment were implemented during 2025.

The core regulatory architecture has taken shape primarily in Europe and the United States. In the European Union, the framework was established through the implementation of the MiCA regulation, which entered into force at the beginning of 2025 and was subsequently adopted by EU member states over the course of the year.

In the United States, a major milestone came in the summer of 2025 with the approval of the GENIUS Act (Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins). The legislation introduced a federal regulatory framework for stablecoin issuers and quickly became an international benchmark, accelerating global momentum in stablecoin policy development.

Crypto moves closer to the financial mainstream

These regulatory developments triggered growing interest from traditional financial institutions. Throughout 2025, banks and established financial companies increased their involvement in crypto assets, including trading, custody, and related services. What was once viewed as a parallel financial ecosystem is now becoming increasingly integrated into the mainstream, signaling a structural shift in how crypto is perceived and used.

What to expect in 2026

Looking ahead, 2026 is expected to be marked by further regulatory evolution, with a strong focus on transaction reporting and cross-border transparency. From January 1, 2026, new EU rules on crypto transaction reporting will take effect. Member states will then have a six-month window to transpose the directive into their national legislation.

Another key theme will be the regulation of stablecoins and preparations for the introduction of national digital currencies. In Europe, this debate centers primarily on the digital euro. The European Central Bank has already announced that it is technically ready for its implementation, leaving the next steps in the hands of political institutions.

In the United States, the regulatory process around stablecoins is also set to continue. By July 2026, federal and state regulators are required to finalize rules implementing the GENIUS Act. These will include licensing processes for stablecoin issuers and criteria that foreign issuers must meet to offer their stablecoins in the U.S. market.

Cybersecurity and AML move to the forefront

Finally, 2026 is likely to bring a stronger regulatory focus on anti-money laundering and operational resilience. As more financial activity moves onto Blockchain-based systems, the impact of operational failures grows. Cyberattacks remain a major concern: more than $3.4 billion in cryptocurrency was stolen during 2025 alone.

As a result, multi-layered cybersecurity frameworks are expected to shift from best practice to baseline supervisory requirements. Regulators increasingly recognize that failures in crypto security can have broader implications for national security and financial stability.

Sources:

https://www.chainalysis.com/blog/2025-crypto-regulatory-round-up/

https://www.cryptopolitan.com/stablecoins-adoption-in-europe-surged/

https://www.tradingview.com/news/invezz:9e6f471bd094b:0-what-does-2026-have-in-store-for-crypto-and-digital-assets-in-europe/