On 2 January 2026, dozens of countries began gathering detailed crypto transaction records ahead of the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework's planned data exchanges in 2027. Platforms in 48 jurisdictions must now log wallet activity, trades, and transfers under new tax transparency rules, with the UK enforcing particularly strict reporting duties. A further group of countries is expected to join from 2028, signaling a shift toward cross-border visibility of crypto holdings and gains.

Stablecoin usage on Ethereum has climbed near 590,000 daily active ERC-20 addresses, approaching or marginally surpassing past record highs. This elevated and persistent activity, which far exceeds levels seen during the 2020–2021 bull cycle and the 2022 deleveraging phase, indicates that stablecoins are now embedded in Ethereum’s core infrastructure and helping maintain flexible, mobile liquidity on-chain.

On 2 January 2026 at 09:12, CryptoQuant detailed three potential trajectories for Bitcoin, balancing liquidity shifts, policy timing, and investor behavior. The least likely case targets an advance toward $170,000, while the base case favors extended range trading. A third path considers recession risk and tighter financial conditions, which could drive a deeper correction.

On 1 January 2026, attention shifted to Solana as large holders resumed accumulation across SOL and ecosystem tokens. According to Santiment, steady buying has coincided with robust liquidity and calmer sentiment, while SOL traded around $124.63 at the start of the year. The pattern suggests longer-horizon positioning amid reduced short-term volatility.

On 1 January 2026, the Reserve Bank of India used its latest financial stability report to argue that central bank digital currencies should form the backbone of future digital payments instead of private stablecoins. The central bank warned that stablecoins, as liabilities of private issuers, could create new channels of financial instability during periods of stress, while CBDCs can offer instant, low-cost, programmable settlement backed by sovereign money. India's authorities remain cautious on crypto overall, even as institutions in the U.S., Europe, and parts of Asia increasingly experiment with stablecoins for faster transfers.

As the crypto market transitions out of the post-halving surge and deeper into institutional participation, 2026 is framed as a year where capital favors select assets over broad speculation. Projections outline distinct trading ranges for Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, XRP, BNB, Dogecoin and TRON, with stablecoins expected to grow mainly through supply and settlement activity. The overarching theme is disciplined capital allocation, where performance is tied to clear demand, regulatory clarity and real-world usage.

On 31 December 2025, the Senate Banking Committee signaled plans to hold a mid-January markup on the CLARITY Act, reviving formal debate after prior talks stalled. The bill's earlier delays stemmed from disputes over token treatment, stablecoin limits, and anti-illicit finance safeguards. A bipartisan committee vote will be pivotal for advancing the measure to the Senate floor.

On December 31, 2025, onchain analysts reported wallets tied to the "Official Trump Meme" cluster on Solana moved about $94 million in USDC, including a recent $33 million routed via Fireblocks to Coinbase. Launched January 18, the TRUMP token peaked at $75 on January 19 and now trades near $4.90 after a steep decline.

Bitwise has submitted filings to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to introduce 11 single-token "strategy" crypto ETFs focused on individual altcoins. The proposed funds would give brokerage investors rules-based exposure to assets such as Aave, Uniswap, Zcash, Bittensor, Sui, and Near by combining direct token holdings with related exchange-traded products and derivatives.