This article outlines Galaxy Research's predictions for the cryptocurrency market in 2026, highlighting key trends like Bitcoin's potential price movement, the rise of stablecoins, and the evolution of Layer-1 blockchains. It discusses institutional adoption, regulatory developments, and the shifting landscape of value capture in crypto.

Dankrad Feist, a prominent Ethereum developer known for his contributions like Danksharding, is leaving the Ethereum Foundation to join Tempo, a stablecoin-focused Layer 1 incubated by Stripe and Paradigm. Despite his departure being seen as a loss for the Ethereum community, Feist emphasized that Tempo shares similar ideals with Ethereum and aims to enhance payment capabilities in the crypto space.

Google has introduced a new Layer 1 blockchain specifically designed for banks, featuring smart contracts based on the Python programming language. This initiative aims to enhance the banking sector's integration with blockchain technology, providing a secure and efficient platform for financial transactions. The move reflects a growing trend of major tech companies entering the blockchain space to innovate traditional financial systems.