The Key Regulatory Battles Facing the Cryptocurrency Industry in 2026

Source: PortaldoBitcoin Original Title: The Crypto Sector’s Battle for a Market Structure Law in the US Original Link: 2025 will be a turning point for the cryptocurrency industry, but many challenges remain unresolved. 2026 could be more decisive for the crypto world, involving topics such as regulation, market trends, and more.

Prospects for the Market Structure Bill

The industry’s most pressing question is: will the cryptocurrency sector pass the long-awaited Market Structure Framework Bill next year?

Although crypto leaders achieved record-breaking regulatory victories this year, the crown jewel on their regulatory wishlist remains out of reach. A cryptocurrency Market Structure Bill would officially and permanently legalize most token issuers and intermediaries in the US, ultimately providing the long-sought legitimacy for the industry.

However, in recent months, Washington’s crypto lobbying groups have been pessimistic about the bill’s prospects. Several sources indicate that despite positive signals, the legislation is too complex and involves politically sensitive issues, making it unlikely to pass the Senate before the spring congressional recess.

Ironically, some policy leaders believe that recent aggressive pro-crypto moves by the SEC and CFTC have diminished the urgency of the market structure battle.

An increasing number of industry participants argue that with these favorable federal regulatory developments, the need to legislate immediately or approve imperfect projects has diminished. One crypto policy leader stated, “As long as we get safe harbor for tokens, the market structure is complete,” referring to the SEC’s exemption rules expected to be implemented in January.

Some industry insiders even openly question whether the market structure bill is really that critical at this point. An industry executive described colleagues’ obsession with passing the bill in 2026 as “Market Structure Disorder Syndrome.”

Independent Actions by Regulatory Agencies

Meanwhile, regulators continue to rewrite the rules for the crypto industry with full force, claiming they do not need to wait for Congress to act.

When asked whether the SEC needs additional authority from new crypto laws to regulate the industry as they see fit, Chairman Paul Atkins expressed skepticism. He pointed out that the SEC has broad exemption powers, which provide a solid foundation for the agency.

Concerns About the 2026 Outlook

However, other crypto policy insiders express concerns. They warn that if the Market Structure Bill is not passed by 2026, the industry will face not only the risks of future political volatility but also miss a key opportunity to attract millions of skeptical investors—those who still view the industry as illegal.

A senior crypto policy leader emphasized to the media the importance of passing market structure legislation in 2026. He noted that the bill could change the public’s perception of the crypto market as an “opaque casino.” He stated that while the current administration can do a lot to address these issues, its effects are far less comprehensive and effective than a law would be.