The year 2026 began with a global tightening of regulations. Countries are moving quickly to close compliance gaps. If 2026 is truly the pivotal year for crypto, is this preparation for it? Even SEC President Paul Atkins said that “clear legislation and well-defined rules” ensure market security. »
For starters, Kazakhstan, the country that promised to build a “crypto city,” cracked down on more than 1,100 unlicensed cryptocurrency platforms in 2025. The Kazakh regulator, the Financial Supervisory Agency (AFM), shut down illegal crypto exchanges and froze assets to ensure compliance.
According to the declaration issued as of January 12, 2025, 1,135 criminal cases have been investigated and 141.5 billion tenge have been reimbursed to victims. Notably, authorities took down 22 crypto exchanges and $16.7 million worth of crypto was seized by the government.
Kazakhstan has blocked more than 1,100 cryptocurrency trading websites in a year as part of a crackdown on illegal platforms.
Regulations are tightening rapidly. pic.twitter.com/YAVDAv0VF8-First1Bitcoin (@First1Bitcoin) January 13, 2026
Kazakhstan has blocked more than 1,100 cryptocurrency trading websites in a year as part of a crackdown on illegal platforms.DISCOVER: Next 1000X Crypto: 10+ crypto tokens that could reach 1000x in 2026
Italy says social media posts reporting crypto-related ‘get rich quick’ schemes can create problems
Meanwhile, Italy continues to ramp up efforts to bring local crypto activities into compliance.
Virtual asset service providers (VASPs) not registered in Italy have until December 2026 to obtain all licenses. The country has been aggressive in blocking unregistered platforms. Regulators closed 1,500 investment sites.
Italy’s main securities regulator has issued a warning to “influencers” promoting crypto. The Italian authority has explicitly stated that EU investment rules fully apply to the activity of financial influencers on social media.
On January 12, 2026, the Italian National Commission for Society and the Stock Exchange (CONSOB) published guidance from the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). “Promoting a financial product or service on social networks is not like promoting shoes or watches,” explains the sheet published on the ESMA and Consob websites. The guidance stated: “Telling people what to invest in or what to avoid may be considered a form of investment advice which requires authorization from the relevant national authority. »
From now on, “this is not investment advice” won’t cut it. If an informal social media post recommends buying, selling, avoiding anything, the influencer may need formal authorization from a national regulator.
Italian CONSOB warns ‘influencers’ amid ESMA warnings on crypto risks https://t.co/GrYKUfAc1K#Blockchain #memecoin #Token #Crypto #technology #Ethereum #bnb #Polygon #bitcoin #cryptocurrency #Coin #News #Challenge pic.twitter.com/BWhqZcffKo
– takaracoin (@takaracoin) January 13, 2026
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The article Crypto News Today: Italy, India, Kazakhstan Strengthen Their Grip on Crypto Trading and Advertising appeared first on 99Bitcoins.
