With the Trump administration and a wave of pro-crypto officials now in office, 2025 marked a significant turning point for crypto regulations in the United States. As we look toward 2026, several key changes are on the horizon.

Many in the crypto industry now see a shift in the regulatory landscape, prompted by the Trump administration’s approaches, such as dropping enforcement actions against crypto firms by the SEC and enacting a stablecoin law.

“I anticipate more jurisdictions will create clear and transparent regulations for the crypto sector, allowing greater participation,” said Ruslan Lienkha, chief market strategist at YouHodler. “This is likely to lead to increased engagement from banks and financial institutions in 2026.”

Structure of the Digital Asset Market

The US Senate has not yet voted on new legislation aimed at creating unambiguous guidelines for digital assets. The Digital Asset Market Clarity Act (CLARITY) passed the House in July. However, Senate lawmakers have indicated that their legislative versions aim to enhance rather than simply passing the existing bill.

Draft proposals from the Senate have suggested that Congress might extend the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s mandate to regulate digital assets, while also upholding the SEC’s role in overseeing cryptocurrencies.

Grayscale, a digital asset management firm, mentions that the bill is set to promote deeper integration between public blockchains and traditional finance, facilitating the regulated trading of digital asset securities.

Launch of the GENIUS Stablecoin Act

Additionally, the GENIUS Act emerged from the Republican-controlled Congress in 2025, intending to set up a regulatory framework for payment stablecoins. Although enacted in July 2025, implementation may commence in 2026 or later, contingent on relevant regulations being approved.

Changes at the Treasury Department are ongoing, with feedback solicited for potential rules related to the GENIUS Act. Experts speculate that guidance may be released in early 2026.

Gracy Chen, CEO of Bitget, noted, “As regulations stabilize, particularly with laws like the GENIUS Act, banks are beginning to explore onchain solutions that could revolutionize payments and liquidity management.”

Unfilled CFTC Positions

The leadership of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) remains incomplete, with only Caroline Pham serving as the acting chair after four commissioners stepped down in December 2025. Trump’s administration has yet to name replacements for these vacancies.

In June, Texas Governor, Gregg Abbott, signed a historic bill allowing the state to manage a fund that could hold Bitcoin, establishing Texas as the first state to create a crypto reserve. This fund’s initial value reached $5 million in a stake in BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF, with plans for further investment expected in 2026.

In conclusion, while the transformation in the US crypto regulatory framework seems promising, the coming years will require careful monitoring as policies evolve and impact both the market and participants.