Cryptocurrency prices fluctuate daily, but what's behind them has changed. The underlying logic of digital finance is undergoing a major shift. The significant change in the US regulatory stance has opened the door—cryptocurrency companies are no longer just testing the edges; they are now actively knocking on the doors of traditional finance, striving for national licenses and direct access to the federal payment system.

What does this mean? The role of stablecoins is becoming increasingly clear; they are turning into genuine tools for value exchange. Another noteworthy development is the explosion of AI agents, which is expected to reshape retail payment processes. Automated trading combined with blockchain—what new gameplay will emerge by 2026? This is the key focus to watch next.

**Regulatory Ice Melts: Crypto Companies Unlock Banking System**

Policy directions are changing. Recently, five crypto companies, including Circle and Ripple, received preliminary approval for banking licenses. Even more impressive, Erebor Bank, supported by a leading venture capital firm, obtained deposit insurance recognition from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). This is a breakthrough for crypto startup banks—investors' funds are now safer.

Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller proposed a new concept: establishing a "simplified" main account. This account would allow these new companies to connect directly to the federal payment system—integrating automated clearinghouses and the Federal Wire Network. The Federal Reserve has also opened a consultation window for this type of new "payment account."

This is no small matter. It indicates that the regulatory shackles on crypto startups are gradually loosening, and the gates of traditional financial systems are opening.