Global Crypto Regulation Roundup

January 1st, 2026 – January 15th, 2026

The first half of January 2026 has set a solid outlook for global crypto regulation, signaling a definitive cementing of governments promoting regulatory controls. We have seen the continuation of crypto adoption across emerging markets, with Ghana and Turkmenistan both moving to formalize digital asset frameworks, seeking to capture institutional interest while maintaining tight sovereign control. In the West, the United States is bracing for a critical legislative markup of the CLARITY Act, a bill that promises to finally resolve the jurisdictional arguments between the SEC and CFTC, albeit at the cost of state-level oversight. Meanwhile, the UK Treasury is doubling down on its 2027 integration timeline, reinforcing the sentiment that digital assets are no longer a tag-on to the financial system, but a central component of it. The overarching theme for crypto regulation in 2026 is setting out strong; the ‘legal grey areas’ are being systematically eliminated, replaced by a global standard of transparency and institutional accountability.

• Global Regulatory Frameworks

US CLARITY Act Heads to Pivotal January Markup

Capitol Hill is preparing for a watershed moment as the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act (CLARITY Act) moves to a Senate markup this month. The bill aims to provide the long-awaited rulebook for the US market by establishing a clear registration path for exchanges and drawing a sharp line between investment contracts and the underlying tokens. Crucially, the Act includes a ‘preemption clause’ that would treat digital commodities as covered securities, effectively stripping individual states of the power to impose a patchwork of conflicting regulations. While the bill offers broad measures to protect core infrastructure like node operators and wallet providers, it leaves the door open for regulators to pursue fraud and manipulation efforts, though this could lead to arguments about where the role of ‘software provider’ ends and the element of ‘regulated intermediary’ begins.

UK Treasury Moves to Eliminate Legal Ambiguity by 2027

The United Kingdom has reaffirmed its commitment to bringing the crypto sector under the full umbrella of existing financial services law by 2027. This move, championed by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, seeks to treat digital assets with the same regulatory rigor as stocks and bonds, placing the sector firmly under the thumb of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). By providing a concrete timeline, the UK intends to outpace other jurisdictions in the race for institutional capital, building upon the recently passed Property (Digital Assets etc.) Act 2025. The government’s strategy is clear: firmly establish the legal certainty required to foster long-term, high-skilled economic growth through crypto.

• Emerging Markets and Sovereign Adoption

Ghana Legalizes Crypto Trading via New VASP Law

In a landmark move for West African digital finance, President John Dramani Mahama has signed the Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASP) Bill into law. The legislation officially legalizes cryptocurrency trading in Ghana, requiring all exchanges, wallet providers and token issuers to register with either the Bank of Ghana or the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This regulatory pivot follows a massive surge in local adoption, with Ghana recording over $10 billion in crypto transactions in late 2025. The new framework is designed to move these high-volume activities out of the shadows and into a transparent, taxable, and supervised environment, positioning Ghana as a regional hub for regulated Web3 innovation.

Turkmenistan Opens Doors to Licensed Mining and Exchanges

Starting January 1, 2026, Turkmenistan has officially transitioned to a regulated crypto economy following the enactment of the Law on Virtual Assets. Under the new regime, crypto mining and exchange operations are legal but restricted to licensed entities under strict state supervision. While digital assets are now recognized as digital property that citizens can legally own and trade, the law explicitly bans their use as legal tender for everyday payments. By legalizing these activities under the watchful eye of the Central Bank and Ministry of Finance, Turkmenistan aims to diversify its economy away from gas and oil exports while maintaining a controlled digital environment.

• Consumer Protection and Compliance

South Korea Supreme Court Rules Exchange-Held Bitcoin is Confiscable

The South Korean Supreme Court has taken a definitive stance on the nature of exchange-held assets. In a landmark ruling, the court classified Bitcoin held on domestic exchanges as ‘electronic certificates with economic value’, making them legally subject to government confiscation in criminal cases. This ruling provides a powerful new tool for South Korean prosecutors to recover assets linked to fraud, money laundering and tax evasion. While the decision primarily affects centralized platforms like Upbit, it serves as a stark reminder to investors that assets held with regulated entities are subject to the full authority of the state.