SEC ETF Deadline, CLARITY Act, New Fed Chair: 5 Events That Will Define Crypto in 2026

Between late March and early July 2026, five major regulatory and macro events hit back to back. Blockchain advisor Anddy Lian says these aren’t random. They’re connected, and together they’ll decide if crypto finally grows up or stays stuck.

Lian, who has spent over fifteen years in the space and advised governments on blockchain policy, posted his breakdown on X. He called the window between Q2 and early Q3 “a defining moment for digital assets.”

SEC Must Rule on 91 Crypto ETF Applications by March 27

The SEC faces a hard deadline. By March 27, it must deliver final decisions on 91 pending crypto ETF applications covering 24 tokens. That includes altcoin ETFs tied to Solana and XRP.

Approval would open the same institutional access path that Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs created. Lian called it “a critical test of whether US regulators will allow market demand to shape product availability.”

CLARITY Act and UK Crypto Access Land Days Apart

Trump is expected to sign the CLARITY Act by April 3, which would finally split regulatory duties between the SEC and CFTC. Three days later, on April 6, the UK starts allowing crypto exchange-traded notes inside tax-advantaged ISAs and pensions.

That means millions of UK retail investors and pension funds get a direct, familiar way into crypto. Lian said this move shows “how progressive regulation can expand access without compromising investor protections.”

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Powell’s Exit Could Move Markets More Than Any ETF

Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s term ends May 15, 2026. A Trump-appointed replacement would likely push for lower rates and easier monetary conditions.

Lian flagged this as the biggest single catalyst of the five. “Global liquidity conditions often outweigh project-specific developments in driving price action,” he said. History backs that up. Every major crypto rally has lined up with periods of expanding money supply.

MiCA Hits Full Force on July 1

The EU’s MiCA regulation reaches full enforcement on July 1, requiring every crypto firm in the bloc to meet strict compliance standards or shut down.

Lian acknowledged MiCA “may initially slow innovation but ultimately lend credibility to the sector.” Firms that move early stand to gain a competitive edge across all 27 EU member states. Those that resist may lose access entirely.