Seven years in, the crypto landscape has shifted dramatically. What we're seeing now heading into 2026 is a totally different story than the boom-bust cycles we used to chase. The market's moving toward sustainable growth, actual regulatory frameworks taking shape, and real-world adoption picking up steam. That's not the hype-driven volatility we once thrived on—it's something more grounded. When rules get clearer and use cases move from theory to practice, there's genuine room for the space to mature. The institutions are sticking around, retail interest is stabilizing, and builders keep shipping. 2026 could be the year the industry finally separates the signal from the noise.