CertiK Report Highlights Global Regulatory Trends for Digital Assets by 2026

CertiK, a Web3 security company, has released a report titled 'The State of Digital Asset Regulation in 2026,' which systematically reviews global regulatory trends. According to ChainCatcher, the report indicates that by 2026, major jurisdictions will have established regulatory frameworks, marking a shift towards full compliance in the industry. The report highlights that anti-money laundering (AML) enforcement has become the primary regulatory risk, surpassing the definition of securities attributes. In the first half of 2025, global AML-related fines exceeded $900 million, with transaction monitoring capabilities becoming a core compliance requirement. Additionally, smart contract security audits are evolving from industry best practices to entry requirements, becoming essential for license approvals and token listings. The global regulatory framework for stablecoins is becoming more consistent, generally establishing principles such as full reserves and licensed issuance. However, regulatory differences across jurisdictions continue to pose compliance challenges. The report notes that as regulatory convergence and enforcement strengthen, the industry has entered a 'strong compliance era.' CertiK states that the core issue for companies is shifting from 'whether to comply' to 'how quickly compliance capabilities can be built and implemented.' Multi-jurisdictional licensing, AML investments, and ongoing security audits are becoming foundational thresholds for institutional development.