Building on 2025's regulatory milestones like the GENIUS Act and bank integrations, the US crypto sector in 2026 shifts focus to enforcing and refining rules—including accounting standards, stablecoin oversight, and tax reporting—to promote compliance and stability.
After a decade of uncertainty, the US crypto industry now operates under a foundational regulatory framework established over recent years, including 2025's GENIUS Act and institutional integrations. In 2026, attention turns to implementation and gap-filling.
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) ASU 2023-08 allows fair-value accounting for certain crypto assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum—fungible tokens deriving value solely from blockchain existence, without enforceable rights. Excluded are stablecoins, NFTs, and DeFi, prompting FASB projects for guidance on these and crypto transfer derecognition. Companies grapple with 24/7 market pricing inconsistencies.
Enhancing 2025's GENIUS Act—which mandates full backing for payment stablecoins with high-quality assets and monthly attestations—the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) issued 2025 proof-of-reserves criteria, addressing redeemable tokens, assets, and reconciliations. Open issues include examiner qualifications and internal controls. Non-interest-bearing payment stablecoins could rival banks, as evidenced by Circle's peg issues during the Silicon Valley Bank crisis.
Tax compliance advances with the IRS's Form 1099-DA for 2025 digital asset sales reporting, though cost basis tracking lags, and DeFi activities like staking remain self-reported. Taxpayers bear primary burden.
As these measures roll out, 2026 will gauge their impact on fostering a compliant, stable crypto ecosystem amid ongoing evolution.
