Could the 2026 midterms change crypto regulation?

Yes — the 2026 midterms could materially change U.S. crypto regulation. If control of Congress shifts, the chairs and agendas of the committees with primary jurisdiction over digital assets — especially the Senate Banking Committee and the House Financial Services Committee — could change quickly, which would affect whether Congress advances crypto legislation or leaves more of the policy shaping to agencies through enforcement.

The biggest likely effects would be on:

• how much authority the SEC vs. the CFTC gets over digital assets,
• whether Congress moves forward with stablecoin rules,
• and whether broader market-structure bills like FIT21-style legislation gain traction.

Because the 2026 elections will determine control of both the House and the Senate, they could also determine whether stalled bills are revived or whether oversight becomes tougher. In general, a Republican-led or more crypto-friendly Congress is more likely to push legislation that gives the CFTC a larger role over digital commodities, while a different majority could prioritize stricter oversight or a different regulatory balance. Exact outcomes will depend on who wins, which committees they control, and what their priorities are after the election.