What's shaping crypto markets in 2026? Market observers are watching one critical factor: the potential passage of cryptocurrency market structure legislation. If it clears Congress as expected, we could see a meaningful shift in how institutions approach digital assets and onchain activity.

The reasoning is straightforward. Clear regulatory frameworks typically unlock institutional capital. When major players know the rules of the game, they're more willing to scale positions and deepen engagement with blockchain infrastructure. More institutional participation means thicker liquidity, more sophisticated trading pairs, and generally more robust market mechanics.

But what about the tech side? Quantum computing keeps popping up in security discussions. Yes, the risk exists in theory. Yet realistic timelines suggest quantum threats aren't an immediate price factor for 2025-2026. The cryptographic vulnerabilities would need to mature much further before impacting market dynamics or forcing protocol-level changes. So while staying vigilant on the tech front makes sense, don't expect quantum scares to crater valuations anytime soon.

The real story: watch regulatory clarity. If the market structure bill lands, it could be the catalyst that finally brings serious institutional capital into mainstream crypto adoption and meaningful onchain growth.