2026: A Pivotal Year for Cryptocurrency Regulation

The year 2026 promises to be pivotal for the cryptocurrency market, with several significant events lined up to take place between late March and early July.

According to blockchain advisor Anddy Lian, these events are not isolated incidents but rather interconnected milestones that will shape the future of digital assets. In a recent breakdown on X, Lian emphasized that this period is a defining moment for crypto, which could determine whether it grows up or remains stuck.

The first major event is the deadline for the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to make final decisions on 91 pending crypto ETF applications by March 27. These applications cover 24 different tokens, including altcoins tied to Solana and XRP. The approval of these ETFs would grant institutional investors access to a wider range of cryptocurrencies, similar to what is already available for Bitcoin and Ethereum.

This development represents a critical test of whether US regulators will allow market demand to drive the availability of products in the crypto space.