The Crystal Ball 2026: The Hidden Conflict Between Crypto and Wall Street

While the cryptocurrency industry has consolidated unprecedented political influence in 2025, the real battle may begin just as new regulations take shape next year. The sector’s crystal ball suggests a complex scenario: not everyone on Wall Street sees blockchain as a threat, but those who do are already charting their legal course.

The Warning Signal from Wall Street

Last December, Citadel Securities — the market giant founded by Ken Griffin — sent a strong communication to the SEC, marking the first clear warning of potential legal opposition. The market maker raised concerns about regulatory exemptions granted to the crypto sector, arguing that they would undermine investor protections. At the same time, Nasdaq also filed similar complaints with the regulatory authority.

Amanda Tuminelli, who leads the DeFi Education Fund, has no doubt: “We will go to court, whether we expect to or not. Citadel’s letter makes it crystal clear — they are preparing to file lawsuits.” This is not speculation, but a forecast based on concrete signals from the traditional financial industry.

A Deep Division, Not a United Front

However, labeling “Wall Street” as a monolithic block would be inaccurate. While some players see cryptocurrency as an existential risk, others — like Fidelity — have recognized the potential of blockchain technology to reduce operational costs and streamline processes.

During 2025, the crypto sector has already prevailed in a significant regulatory clash: the GENIUS Act was passed by Congress despite opposition from the banking lobby regarding stablecoin rewards. Banking groups continue to seek retroactive amendments, but the Trump administration remains seemingly uninterested in reopening the debate.

The Expected Culmination: 2026

Policy experts believe that tensions will peak when the SEC and CFTC launch their regulatory processes next year. According to an industry executive, the positions of the most progressive fintech companies will begin to be heard more loudly, balancing the narrative of those who argue that cryptocurrencies pose a threat.

The outcome could swing between two extremes: traditional finance could concretely recognize the opportunities of blockchain, or turn the opposition into a “total frontal clash” in courts and regulatory bodies.

The crystal ball for 2026 suggests that the true game-changer will not only be the behavior of the crypto sector but how the traditional financial industry positions itself internally.