Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan predicts a longer and more stable crypto bull run, extending beyond the usual four-year cycle.
Institutional inflows, improved regulation, and maturing infrastructure are key factors supporting this prolonged market trend.
Hougan suggests the current market movement is not just a hype-driven rally but is influenced by significant shifts in the crypto space.
Historically, crypto has followed a four-year cycle triggered by Bitcoin halving, followed by surges and corrections, but Hougan believes this pattern might change.
Institutional adoption is increasing, with major players like BlackRock and Fidelity exploring crypto-focused ETFs, attracting more stable capital.
Regulation is becoming clearer, with approvals for spot Bitcoin ETFs and progress in crypto laws signaling a maturing asset class.
Improvements in infrastructure, such as Layer-2 networks and DeFi integration into traditional finance, are facilitating long-term growth.
Hougan anticipates the current bull cycle, starting in 2023, to continue strongly into 2025, possibly with a milder pullback in 2026.
The traditional boom-and-bust pattern in crypto may be waning, replaced by more prolonged and stable trends akin to traditional finance.
Investors might need to adjust their market timing strategies and consider longer-term holding based on this evolving market outlook.
Hougan's insights suggest a shift in market dynamics, impacting not just investors but developers, regulators, and the entire crypto ecosystem.