According to the auditing firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), legal clarity is no longer a central barrier in the development of the cryptocurrency ecosystem.
In its latest report, PwC notes that global cryptocurrency regulations are becoming increasingly harmonized and points out 6 major trends by 2026.
PwC identifies important global regulatory trends for the crypto industry in 2026.
The first notable trend relates to stablecoins. PwC emphasizes that this industry is shifting its focus from building a legal framework to enforcing regulations in practice. Regulatory bodies are establishing mandatory rules regarding reserves, withdrawal rights, governance, and public information obligations.
In some areas, authorities have even issued limits on stablecoin holdings to reduce risks related to mass withdrawals.
"Central banks will begin testing the interoperability of systemically important stablecoins and payment systems," according to PwC's report.
On Monday, the report noted the growing trend of tokenized cryptocurrencies. Forms such as tokenized bank deposits, tokenized cash-equivalent assets, and central bank digital currencies are moving beyond the testing phase for broader implementation.
PwC believes that policymakers are prioritizing the establishment of cross-border payment systems, integrating tokenized assets and linking with national payment networks.
Broadly, the process of tokenizing real-world assets (RWA) has become a major topic in 2026, as many industry members forecast strong growth. This trend was also prominent at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, where the tokenization of real assets is viewed as the most consistent and prominent topic in discussions about cryptocurrencies.
On Tuesday, PwC identified consumer protection as a major management priority. According to the report, licensed businesses will face stricter requirements regarding advertising practices, product suitability, and outcomes for customers.
"Regulations on financial promotion and product governance are being integrated into the licensing process for cryptocurrency businesses. Licensed entities must prove that their products have reasonable value, transparent advertising, suitability checks, and have mechanisms for handling customer complaints," PwC stated.
On Wednesday, at the organizational level, use cases are also being expanded as regulators clarify conditions for digital assets to be recognized as valid collateral under standard frameworks such as UMR.
If this asset meets criteria on liquidity, pricing, custody, operational stability, and legality, acceptance will be easier. This facilitates organizations to utilize token assets and select certain crypto assets as collateral in derivative markets.
On Thursday, the report also highlights higher expectations for intermediaries like exchanges, custodians, and stablecoin issuers.
"Crypto exchanges, custodians, and stablecoin issuers are within the comprehensive regulatory framework regarding financial governance and operation. Regulatory agencies impose requirements such as minimum capital, asset segregation, liquidity, and recovery plans similar to financial market infrastructure standards."
Finally, PwC adds that the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector is increasingly being evaluated by standards similar to traditional markets. Regulations on transparency, oversight, and conflict of interest management are being applied to both centralized trading environments and on-chain, indicating that the industry is moving toward a common global standard.
Factors influencing crypto beyond legal aspects
In addition to legal trends, the report also emphasizes many factors beyond regulations that are shaping the current crypto market: