Was 2025 just the warm-up bell?

If 2025 was the sniff-out phase in which investors cautiously stepped into the ring, then 2026 has seen them thrown down the gloves. Last year’s slow grind, institutional footholds and regulatory whispers helped primed the crowd… but now the bell has rung and the real fight for regulatory clarity, liquidity flows and technological evolution is truly underway.

Here’s a fast-paced look at the forces shaping crypto’s next few rounds in 2026.

Round 1: Regulation vs. ambiguity

Lawmakers on both sides of the Atlantic have started to reveal potential frameworks that will legitimise the space, asking “How do we make this global financial infrastructure safe and scalable?” They’re dusting off major…