Heading into 2026, the sector is prioritizing privacy-first digital identity, with selective disclosure and zero-knowledge proofs at its core. On Oct. 29, Ethereum's X account said more than 750 privacy projects are building on the network, while April and Dec. 10 milestones from Google Wallet and Switzerland's Council of States show parallel shifts in mainstream platforms and policy.

On December 23, Philippine internet providers began blocking access to major exchanges including Coinbase and Gemini as regulators enforced local licensing rules. Manila Bulletin reported that the National Telecommunications Commission directed carriers to restrict around 50 platforms lacking Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas authorization. Authorities had earlier moved against Binance, culminating in a shutdown order on March 25, 2024.

Alfa-Bank launched a fuel-linked digital financial asset, with purchases open from December 23 to 26 in Moscow and the Moscow Region. The token's nominal value is 6,650 rubles and offers a 20% fixed annual yield, maturing between March 1 and 15 next year with a choice of cash plus interest or a 100-liter fuel voucher.

On December 24, the People’s Bank of China and seven other departments released opinions to expand digital finance cooperation and RMB use in cross-border payments along the Western Land-Sea New Corridor. The plan centers on testing the digital RMB in trade and payment scenarios with partners such as Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the UAE, while also building digital platforms for cross-border e-commerce.

Five jurisdictions moved to streamline crypto licensing in 2025, with major milestones: the US GENIUS Act in July, EU MiCA passporting from January, Dubai VARA's Version 2.0 in May, Hong Kong's stablecoin regime in August, and UK HM Treasury and FCA steps in April and December. These changes created clearer pathways and reduced duplication for compliant firms.

U.S. regulators halted an alleged crypto fraud that took over $14 million from investors on 24 December 2025. The operation used social media groups, private chats, and slick but fictitious platforms, then pressured victims to pay new fees during withdrawal attempts, leaving funds unrecovered.

On December 24, 2025, Circle announced a digital metals expansion that lets customers swap USDC for tokenized gold (GLDC) and silver (SILC) at live market prices. The service cites COMEX-linked liquidity, on-chain settlement, and 24/7 availability, aiming to integrate precious metal exposure into public blockchains for institutional and developer use.

Hyperliquid confirmed this week that a wallet tied to a former employee dismissed in Q1 2024 executed large short trades against HYPE. On December 17, the address deposited about $53,000 USDC and opened roughly $223,000 in leveraged shorts, including a $180,000 HYPE position. The exchange reiterated a zero‑tolerance policy on insider trading and defended the protocol's solvency.