2026 capital markets regulatory outlook

In 2026, industry will continue to implement significant regulatory change initiatives. At the same time, an evolving regulatory approach is driving potentially seismic changes in the US capital markets. For our 2026 capital markets regulatory outlook, we’ve identified three key regulatory themes: rule modernization, market structure, and innovation.

2026 capital markets regulatory outlook

In 2026, industry will continue to implement significant regulatory change initiatives. At the same time, an evolving regulatory approach is driving potentially seismic changes in the US capital markets. For our 2026 capital markets regulatory outlook, we’ve identified three key regulatory themes: rule modernization, market structure, and innovation.

Branching Out: A Retail Banking Podcast Series

Deloitte - Join us as we dive into conversations with financial services leaders from across the industry in a podcast series from Deloitte’s retail banking practice.

Hosted by: Bill Dworsky 

From Vaults to Virtual: Digital Revolution in the Financial System

January 2026 marks a turning point as US regulatory clarity and digital asset innovation converge. With the GENIUS Act setting stablecoin standards and broader market-structure rules advancing, tokenization and distributed ledger technology (DLT) are moving from pilots to scalable use cases across trading, payments, and treasury. Financial institutions should act now to define their strategy, modernize controls and infrastructure, and stay competitive as digital rails become the new baseline.

Banking M&A trends during dynamic times

How banks are transforming their approach to mergers and acquisitions

2026 banking regulatory outlook

2026 is poised to be a watershed year for banking regulations in the United States. The leaders of the federal banking regulatory agencies are reshaping their approach to regulation, supervisory, priorities, and internal agency supervisory processes. The industry is preparing for potentially the most significant changes to the capital framework in more than a decade, including a significant recalibration of regulatory thresholds. In addition, a general decrease in the issuance of new regulations and regulatory requirements is playing out, and a shift in supervisory approaches is anticipated to result in fewer agency supervisory actions and remediation items.

2026 capital markets regulatory outlook

In 2026, industry will continue to implement significant regulatory change initiatives. At the same time, an evolving regulatory approach is driving potentially seismic changes in the US capital markets. For our 2026 capital markets regulatory outlook, we’ve identified three key regulatory themes: rule modernization, market structure, and innovation.

From Vaults to Virtual: Digital Revolution in the Financial System

January 2026 marks a turning point as US regulatory clarity and digital asset innovation converge. With the GENIUS Act setting stablecoin standards and broader market-structure rules advancing, tokenization and distributed ledger technology (DLT) are moving from pilots to scalable use cases across trading, payments, and treasury. Financial institutions should act now to define their strategy, modernize controls and infrastructure, and stay competitive as digital rails become the new baseline.

Trading beyond the bell: Strategic and operational impacts of 24/5 trading

As global capital flows surge and investor demand for real-time access intensifies, the move toward 24/5 trading is reshaping the landscape for market participants, regulators, and technology providers alike. Deloitte’s latest article explores how extended trading hours could unlock new liquidity, reduce overnight risk, and drive global competitiveness—while also introducing fresh challenges in operations, compliance, and risk management. Discover how AI and automation are poised to play a pivotal role in navigating this transformation, and what strategies firms should consider to stay ahead in an always-on marketplace.

Trading beyond the bell: Strategic and operational impacts of 24/5 trading

As global capital flows surge and investor demand for real-time access intensifies, the move toward 24/5 trading is reshaping the landscape for market participants, regulators, and technology providers alike. Deloitte’s latest article explores how extended trading hours could unlock new liquidity, reduce overnight risk, and drive global competitiveness—while also introducing fresh challenges in operations, compliance, and risk management. Discover how AI and automation are poised to play a pivotal role in navigating this transformation, and what strategies firms should consider to stay ahead in an always-on marketplace.

2025 - The year of payment stablecoin

In our latest publication, we delve into the current state of pivotal regulatory developments and provide an “impact and response framework,” which can serve as a self-assessment tool for financial service companies and others that are building out capabilities to support payment stablecoins activities.

2025 - The year of payment stablecoin

In our latest publication, we delve into the current state of pivotal regulatory developments and provide an “impact and response framework,” which can serve as a self-assessment tool for financial service companies and others that are building out capabilities to support payment stablecoins activities.

2025 - The year of payment stablecoin

In our latest publication, we delve into the current state of pivotal regulatory developments and provide an “impact and response framework,” which can serve as a self-assessment tool for financial service companies and others that are building out capabilities to support payment stablecoins activities.

2025 - The year of payment stablecoin

In our latest publication, we delve into the current state of pivotal regulatory developments and provide an “impact and response framework,” which can serve as a self-assessment tool for financial service companies and others that are building out capabilities to support payment stablecoins activities.

Trading beyond the bell: Strategic and operational impacts of 24/5 trading

As global capital flows surge and investor demand for real-time access intensifies, the move toward 24/5 trading is reshaping the landscape for market participants, regulators, and technology providers alike. Deloitte’s latest article explores how extended trading hours could unlock new liquidity, reduce overnight risk, and drive global competitiveness—while also introducing fresh challenges in operations, compliance, and risk management. Discover how AI and automation are poised to play a pivotal role in navigating this transformation, and what strategies firms should consider to stay ahead in an always-on marketplace.

2025 - The year of payment stablecoin

In our latest publication, we delve into the current state of pivotal regulatory developments and provide an “impact and response framework,” which can serve as a self-assessment tool for financial service companies and others that are building out capabilities to support payment stablecoins activities.

Branching Out: A Retail Banking Podcast Series

Deloitte - Join us as we dive into conversations with financial services leaders from across the industry in a podcast series from Deloitte’s retail banking practice.

Hosted by: Bill Dworsky