Crypto Industry Sentiment Lagging Behind Reality, Says Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan

Matt Hougan, the Chief Investment Officer of Bitwise, sees a transformative shift in the crypto landscape, enhancing the potential for significant gains.

In a recent blog post, Hougan asserts that the digital asset industry remains “not bullish enough,” despite growing interest from blue-chip companies and governments. He emphasizes that what was once considered a fantasy—Congress passing clear crypto regulations and Wall Street’s extensive adoption of digital assets—is now becoming a reality.

“As crypto investors, we spend a lot of time focused on downside risk. We’re all acutely aware that, at any moment, an event might occur that will drive prices sharply lower. It’s fairly common for people to say that bitcoin ‘could go to zero.’ I think we have to accept that there is now an equal risk to the upside,” Hougan stated.

Rising Possibilities

Hougan envisions scenarios that seemed improbable just a year ago becoming more likely. He points to the possibility of a G20 country adding Bitcoin to its balance sheet to get ahead of the U.S., or comprehensive crypto legislation passing in the U.S. faster than expected due to bipartisan support. He also notes Wall Street’s increasing embrace of crypto, highlighted by Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon’s recent comment to CNBC that Bitcoin could serve as a store of value.

“These ideas would have been the stuff of daydreams a year ago. But after what I witnessed last week, they look more likely than not,” Hougan added.

Earlier this week, Wyoming Republican Senator Cynthia Lummis proposed that the U.S. government should accumulate 5% of Bitcoin’s total supply as a reserve asset to bolster the U.S. dollar. Hougan interprets this as a significant shift in Washington’s stance on digital assets.

“Regardless, the fact remains: The sense of what’s possible in Washington on crypto has shifted. A year ago, the SEC sued Coinbase for operating an illegal securities exchange. Now the U.S. Department of Justice is partnering with Coinbase to secure its crypto—and we’re talking about the U.S. holding Bitcoin as a reserve asset,” Hougan noted.

This evolving outlook suggests a future where digital assets play a more integrated role in the financial systems of both governments and institutions, potentially driving substantial market growth.