Bitwise CIO says next crypto bull run will be slower and less volatile
Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan predicts the next crypto bull run will be slower and less volatile as Wall Street shifts focus to real-world applications like tokenization and AI.

Bitwise chief investment officer Matt Hougan expects the next crypto bull run to unfold more slowly and with less volatility than previous cycles, as institutional investors shift their focus toward real-world applications such as tokenization and artificial intelligence.
In an interview, Hougan said that Wall Street and registered investment advisors are now more interested in tangible use cases for blockchain technology rather than pure digital assets. This shift in attention, he argued, will dampen the speculative fervor that characterized earlier crypto rallies. The market's recovery is likely to take longer than many traders anticipate, as the hype cycle gives way to a more fundamentals-driven environment. Live crypto prices and charts on NowPrice reflect the current subdued market sentiment, with Bitcoin and major altcoins trading in relatively tight ranges.
The evolving investor appetite suggests that the next bull phase may be more sustainable but less dramatic. Hougan noted that competing trends, particularly AI, have captured the imagination of capital markets, drawing attention away from crypto. For traders, this means that price movements may be driven more by adoption metrics and regulatory clarity than by retail frenzy. Looking ahead, key catalysts include the progress of tokenization in traditional finance and the integration of AI with blockchain networks. Investors should monitor institutional inflow data and on-chain activity for signs of a gradual buildup, rather than expecting a sudden parabolic move.