Q1 2026: protocol upgrades and token launches
The first quarter of 2026 is expected to be packed with high-impact network upgrades and product launches across multiple sectors of the crypto market.
Ethereum is set to activate the BPO hardfork on Layer 1, increasing the gas limit and improving base-layer scalability.
Several Layer 2 ecosystems are scheduled to go live with their mainnets, including MegaETH and Miden, expanding the competitive landscape of rollup-based scaling solutions.
Securitize plans to launch a trading platform dedicated to tokenized public equities, marking a major step forward for regulated real-world assets.
OpenSea is expected to introduce its SEA token, with 50% of the supply allocated to the community, while Ondo will issue tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs on Solana.
Solana’s Alpenglow upgrade aims to cut transaction finality from 12 seconds to just 150 milliseconds, representing an 80x improvement in settlement speed.
Starknet is preparing to fully decentralize its sequencer, transitioning from StarkWare-operated nodes to a permissionless validator network.
Bloomberg analysts estimate a 90% probability that a Litecoin spot ETF will be approved in Q1 2026.
First half of 2026: scaling Ethereum and institutional milestones
The first half of the year will also bring structural changes across core infrastructure and traditional finance integration.
Ethereum’s Glamsterdam hardfork could potentially raise base-layer throughput to 10,000 transactions per second, redefining expectations for Layer 1 performance.
Cardano ETFs enter their regulatory decision window in 2026, while the Grayscale ADA Trust is already trading at a 12% premium.
Kraken is expected to move toward an IPO, signaling growing maturity among centralized exchanges.
Western Union plans to launch a dollar-denominated stablecoin to facilitate global remittances, and Tempo will debut its Layer 1 blockchain focused on payment use cases.
Q3 2026: U.S. stablecoin regulation
The third quarter is projected to mark the finalization of U.S. federal stablecoin regulation under the GENIUS Act framework, potentially establishing long-awaited legal clarity for dollar-backed digital currencies.
Q4 2026: Mt. Gox repayment deadline
By the fourth quarter, Mt. Gox is expected to reach the final deadline for distributing remaining funds to creditors, closing one of the longest-running chapters in crypto history.
Events without fixed timelines
Several major developments are anticipated in 2026 without precise scheduling.
A wave of potential IPOs is expected from major industry players including BitGo, Consensys, Gemini, Ledger, Animoca Brands, and Grayscale.
Multiple new spot crypto ETFs are under SEC review, with decisions likely to be staggered throughout the year.
Aztec is preparing the mainnet launch of its privacy-focused ZK Layer 2 network on Ethereum.
Citigroup plans to roll out institutional custody services for Bitcoin and Ethereum, while Visa is expanding stablecoin settlement services for U.S. institutions.
Deutsche Bank is reportedly exploring the issuance of its own stablecoin, JPMorgan and Coinbase are working on bank-to-wallet integrations with reward-to-USDC conversion, and BBVA is considering launching a euro-denominated stablecoin.
Circle’s Arc blockchain, a Layer 1 network optimized for stablecoins, is expected to debut, and Mastercard is preparing to enable commercial stablecoin payments.
BTCUSA outlook
The scale and diversity of events scheduled for 2026 signal a decisive shift in crypto from experimental technology to global financial infrastructure.
With Ethereum pushing toward unprecedented scalability, stablecoin regulation reaching final form, and traditional financial giants launching on-chain products, the year ahead could define the next decade of digital finance.
