Bitwise CIO Calls 2026 the Crypto Bull Market Year

• Bitwise CIO forecasts 2026 as crypto’s strongest bull year.
• Institutional adoption and tokenization are driving forces.
• Current market cycles may not reflect long-term fundamentals.

Bitwise Chief Investment Officer Matt Hougan has made a bold statement: 2026 could be the year the real crypto bull market begins. While the current market has seen some impressive rallies, Hougan believes that the true long-term growth is still ahead of us.

According to him, many of the crypto market’s strongest fundamentals — such as rising institutional adoption and the accelerating pace of tokenization — are “too big to keep down.” These aren’t just trends, they’re foundational shifts that are likely to reshape the financial landscape over the next few years.

Institutional Momentum is Building

One of the most significant signs of future growth is the increasing involvement of institutional investors. From Bitcoin ETFs to big banks integrating blockchain services, the presence of major financial players is becoming hard to ignore.

Hougan believes this is just the beginning. As regulatory clarity improves and infrastructure matures, more institutions will find it easier — and safer — to allocate capital into crypto. This slow but steady build-up could culminate in a major run-up around 2026, when these forces fully converge.

Tokenization: The Next Frontier

Another key driver Hougan points to is tokenization — the process of putting real-world assets like stocks, bonds, or real estate onto blockchain networks. This could unlock trillions in value and make global markets more accessible and efficient.

Already, major companies and financial entities are experimenting with tokenized assets. As the technology becomes more refined and legally recognized, tokenization could become the bridge between traditional finance and the blockchain world, fueling the next leg of the crypto bull market in 2026.