Crypto adoption is gaining momentum across financial markets, with major developments ranging from Sberbank exploring Bitcoin, Ethereum and USDT-backed lending to Panama embracing digital finance and banks turning to stablecoins as competition in payments intensifies. At the same time, renewed strength in Bitcoin is adding to optimism that the broader crypto market could be entering another bullish phase, reinforcing the growing role of digital assets across banking, payments and global finance.
SEC crypto custody rules move closer to new framework
The SEC has sent a proposed overhaul of its crypto custody framework to the White House for review, bringing the agency closer to potentially introducing updated rules for investment advisers and investment companies holding digital assets for clients.
The proposal was submitted to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) on August 25. It covers provisions under the Investment Advisers Act and Investment Company Act and is designed to modernise the regulatory framework surrounding the custody of cryptocurrency and other digital assets.
Although the detailed proposal has not yet been released, the move could potentially provide financial institutions with greater certainty around digital asset custody. Clearer custody requirements would be particularly significant for firms seeking to expand their exposure to Bitcoin, tokenised assets and other blockchain-based investments.
The initiative also reflects the SEC’s broader shift towards developing formal crypto regulation under Chair Paul Atkins. Recent regulatory developments have focused on defining how existing securities rules apply to digital assets while creating more predictable conditions for companies operating in the cryptocurrency sector.
$457B crypto activity highlights growing market impact
The regulatory developments come as Chainalysis reports that cryptocurrency generated more than $457 billion in potentially taxable on-chain activity during 2025.
The figure, calculated using activity across six major blockchains, including Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana, demonstrates the scale of economic activity taking place across the crypto ecosystem. The estimate does not include trading activity conducted inside centralised exchanges, meaning the overall amount of crypto-related economic activity could be substantially larger.
The United States accounted for approximately $112.6 billion, while the European Union represented around $125.1 billion. North America recorded approximately $134.6 billion, highlighting the significant role of major financial markets in the expanding digital asset economy.
Chainalysis also estimates that the OECD’s Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF) could currently cover only about 14% of potentially taxable on-chain activity. CARF is expected to become increasingly important from 2027 as participating jurisdictions begin automatically exchanging cryptocurrency tax information.
The growing sophistication of blockchain technology and crypto transactions also demonstrates why traditional reporting systems are evolving. Decentralised exchanges, peer-to-peer transfers, staking and blockchain-based payments create new opportunities for financial innovation while encouraging governments to modernise their approach to digital assets.
Disclaimer: The content of this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or trading advice. Readers should conduct their own research and consult a qualified cryptocurrency advisor before making any investment decisions.
Stay informed,
Rodcas Consulting Group