Bitwise’s Chief Investment Officer Matt Hougan says crypto may be nearing a structural turning point as geopolitical shocks, institutional adoption and regulatory clarity reshape the market.
Crypto’s 24/7 Advantage
In a Mar. 5 podcast with Paul Barron, Hougan pointed to when Presdent Trump announced military action against Iran while traditional financial markets were closed.
During that window, traders turned to decentralized platforms such as Hyperliquid (CRYPTO: HYPE) to trade assets like oil and gold.
Hougan said the episode highlighted the advantage of crypto’s 24/7 markets and could push hedge funds and global traders to adopt DeFi infrastructure so they can react to geopolitical events in real time.
He compared the potential shift to the rapid rise of exchange-traded funds after the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, when traditional financial systems struggled but ETFs continued trading efficiently.
While volumes on decentralized platforms remain relatively small, Hougan said institutional onboarding to decentralized trading rails could drive rapid growth over time.
Crypto’s Bottoming Phase: Altcoin Season May Look Different
Hougan said institutional investors have continued accumulating Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) through ETFs despite market volatility.
He also pointed to Trump’s recent criticism of banks and support for crypto-friendly policies as a positive catalyst that has improved market sentiment and increased the likelihood of regulatory clarity in the United States.
Hougan highlighted the growing integration between crypto and traditional finance, citing Kraken’s Fed access as another milestone.
These developments signal a gradual merging of the financial system with crypto infrastructure.
Hougan also said the next altcoin cycle may differ from previous ones.
Instead of a broad speculative rally lifting nearly every token, he expects a more selective market where projects with real-world adoption, particularly in DeFi, attract the most capital.
Overall, Hougan said crypto may be entering a bottoming phase, with improving fundamentals that could support higher prices over the next year.
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