World Economic Forum 2026: Why cryptocurrencies are discussed alongside trade wars

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WEF 2026 in Davos: How cryptocurrencies became global economic and political topic

Why crypto sector is not a «side story» of forum

At WEF 2026, the discussion of cryptocurrencies looked different from at previous meetings: digital assets were debated alongside oil, gold, inflation, and trade disputes between the world’s largest economies. This reflects the fact that the impact of cryptocurrencies goes beyond a narrow financial technology and touches on fundamental trust in financial systems. Forum participants noted that the political context is amplifying this interest.

The prospect of near-term regulation of digital assets in the U.S. and globally was widely discussed, and the political course of U.S. President Donald Trump played a key role in that conversation. Recall that in 2025 he signed the GENIUS Act, one of the first federal laws in the U.S. aimed at regulating cryptocurrencies and stablecoins — a major signal for both the industry and regulators.

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What was discussed at the forum

At the forum, cryptocurrencies were not treated as a standalone market but as part of the broader macroeconomic picture. Three areas stood out at the center of attention: Bitcoin’s role in the new architecture of capital, the battle between jurisdictions for regulatory control, and the practical value of stablecoins as a tool for the real economy. These themes best illustrate why, in 2026, the crypto industry stopped being a «parallel reality» and became a subject of global politics.

Bitcoin, altcoins, and macroeconomics

Discussions about Bitcoin were not limited to price levels or speculation — of course, some analysts debated BTC targets and its growth potential, but the conversation went deeper. The idea of strategically using Bitcoin in national reserves was on the table. During one session, Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase, said that the initiative to create a strategic BTC reserve is «alive and well» and could eventually rival gold as a reserve asset.

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Regulation: U.S., China, and global balance

Regulation repeatedly surfaced in Davos discussions. Many speakers emphasized that the world is facing a choice between the «same risk, same regulation» approach — where the same risk requires the same regulatory treatment — and a model in which cryptocurrencies are forced into fragmented regulatory frameworks. This is especially relevant for the US and China: the US sees regulation as a way to secure leadership in the tech sector, while China continues to approach digital assets cautiously, limiting their use domestically while developing CBDCs.

Hong Kong’s Financial Secretary Paul Chan, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, noted that traditional finance and technology are increasingly intertwined but require a balanced regulatory approach.

«Digital assets should serve the real economy. But we must also put in place robust safeguards against risks to financial stability, market integrity, and investor protection,» Chan said.

At the same time, «crypto czar» David Sacks stated that crypto companies and banks will ultimately merge into a single industry and urged digital asset market participants to look at the bigger picture. He noted:

«Profitability matters from a philosophical point of view, but it is no less important to pass the market structure bill overall.»

Stablecoins, CBDCs, and social impact

Forum participants also discussed the social applications of digital currencies. The focus was on how stablecoins can be used to speed up and reduce the cost of international transfers, humanitarian aid, and payments for vulnerable populations. This perspective is seen not only as a technological innovation but also as a tool for financial inclusion and global solidarity — one that can strengthen economic resilience during crises.

At the World Economic Forum, Circle Foundation announced its first international grant. The funds will support the UN’s Digital Hub for Treasury Solutions (DHoTS), an initiative designed to improve the efficiency of cash transfers and streamline financial flows across the entire United Nations ecosystem.

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Key speakers

The forum featured both crypto industry representatives and government leaders.

Jeremy Allaire (CEO, Circle)

During WEF sessions, Allaire said that stablecoins can play a fundamental role in global payments, connecting traditional finance and digital assets into a single ecosystem where liquidity and speed matter more than borders.

Yat Siu (Co-founder, Animoca Brands)

Siu highlighted the social and cultural dimensions of Web3, arguing that digital assets «create new models of interaction that will become the norm for entire generations,» going far beyond trading.

Dan Katz (First Deputy Managing Director, IMF)

In Katz’s view, digital assets can help stabilize financial systems, especially when traditional monetary policy tools show their limitations. He spoke about the global role of digital assets as part of sustainable development strategies.

Changpeng Zhao (Co-founder, Binance)

In his speech, Zhao said that governments are already discussing asset tokenization. He also emphasized that cryptocurrency is becoming an infrastructure «rail» rather than a currency for buying coffee.

Donald Trump (President of the United States)

Trump said he intends to sign the CLARITY Act, a digital asset market structure bill. The president also stated his goal of making the US the «world capital of artificial intelligence and cryptocurrencies.»

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Risks and conclusions: New financial reality, but with no guarantees

Despite the optimism, the Davos discussion remained sober: regulatory fragmentation across jurisdictions slows the development of unified standards, while conflicts between central banks and crypto infrastructure increase uncertainty. Against the backdrop of political influence — including Donald Trump’s course, which promotes crypto as part of the US strategic agenda — the market receives strong impulses, but the «blind spots» remain: security, AML, mass adoption, and industry resilience still require solutions. The main takeaway from Davos 2026 is that cryptocurrencies have definitively moved beyond the status of an experiment and have become part of a fundamental conversation about the future architecture of the global financial system.

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