Europe, Wall Street, and AI converge: the new crypto adoption map in 2026

Source: CritpoTendencia Original Title: Europe, Wall Street, and AI Converge: The New Crypto Adoption Map in 2026 Original Link:

European Regulation: A Major Exchange Obtains MiCA License in Greece

A major cryptocurrency exchange submitted its license application in Greece under the MiCA regulatory framework, a key step that would allow it to offer cryptocurrency services across the 27 European Union countries. The exchange established a local holding company and is seeking authorization from Greek regulators, in a process that, according to local media, is progressing rapidly with the support of firms like EY and KPMG.

If approved by the Hellenic Capital Market Commission, the license would grant the exchange the so-called “European passport,” just as the July 1st compliance deadline approaches. Greece’s selection surprises the industry, as the country is not typically among the main financial hubs or the most crypto-friendly jurisdictions in Europe.

PwC Warns That Crypto Adoption Is Progressing Unevenly and Is Already Irreversible for Institutions

Cryptocurrency adoption continues to expand at different rates depending on the region, resulting in a fragmented global ecosystem, according to PwC’s 2026 Global Cryptocurrency Regulation Report.

The consultancy notes that, while blockchain technology is global, its practical applications, such as payments, remittances, savings, and tokenization, largely depend on local economic, financial, and regulatory factors.

PwC also emphasizes that institutional interest in digital assets has already passed the “point of no return,” with banks, asset managers, and large corporations incorporating cryptocurrencies and stablecoins into their operational models.

The report is published amid strong momentum in the United States, supported by a more flexible regulatory environment, although questions remain about the impact that a potential political shift could have on this trend.

Cryptocurrencies Will Be the Native Currency of AI Agents

A prominent industry founder stated that cryptocurrencies will become the default means of payment for AI agents as these technologies evolve. During a panel at the World Economic Forum in Davos, he argued that blockchain will be the most natural infrastructure for autonomous AI systems to execute transactions efficiently.

The executive explained that, although current AI has not yet reached full autonomy, once it can perform everyday tasks such as payments, reservations, or hiring services, cryptocurrencies will play a central role.

He also highlighted tokenization and payment systems as pillars of the future financial landscape and revealed that he is already collaborating with several governments on asset tokenization strategies, anticipating a transformation of the sector through hybrid models combining crypto and traditional finance.

Farcaster Will Remain Active After Its Acquisition by Neynar and Will Return $180 Million to Investors

Farcaster’s co-founder assured that the decentralized social network protocol will continue operating despite its acquisition by Neynar, dispelling rumors of a possible shutdown. According to the statement, Farcaster maintains a solid user base, with nearly 250,000 monthly active users and over 100,000 funded wallets.

The Neynar startup, which has been developing infrastructure for Farcaster for years, will steer the project toward a more developer-focused approach. Additionally, it was announced that Merkle Manufactory, the company behind the protocol, will return the $180 million raised to its investors after five years of ecosystem development.