Key Milestones in US Crypto Regulation in 2026

BlockBeats News, December 31, Under the drive of Trump's second term, the US crypto policy has shifted significantly towards friendly. 2026 is seen as a decisive year, and the following are the key time nodes:

· January: The Senate is expected to hold a hearing on the Crypto Market Structure Act, which, if passed, will clarify the regulatory boundaries of the SEC and CFTC; the SEC may also introduce an "Innovation Exemption" mechanism to relax compliance thresholds for startups.
· May 15: Federal Reserve Chairman Powell's term expires, and Trump may appoint a more dovish candidate, which could benefit crypto assets.
· July 1: The California Digital Asset Act comes into effect, imposing licensing requirements on institutions conducting crypto business in California.
· July 18: The Stablecoin "GENIUS Act" supporting regulatory details deadline, involving issuance, capital, and compliance rules.
· August: Crypto tax legislation (including stablecoin small-value exemption) and CFTC blockchain-related rules are expected to advance.
· November 3: US midterm elections, the results may directly influence the direction of crypto legislation and regulation.

The industry generally believes that the United States is closer than ever to establishing a clear, unified crypto regulatory framework.