A Quiet End to 2025 Could Prime Crypto for a 2026 Breakout, Analysts Say
Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan sees a subdued finish to 2025 as a bullish signal for digital assets in 2026. The absence of a typical year-end rally suggests the next major crypto upswing remains ahead, diverging from historical four-year cycle patterns.
Macroeconomic tailwinds including anticipated rate cuts and quantitative tightening pauses may inject liquidity into crypto markets. Stablecoin adoption, tokenization initiatives, and renewed DeFi activity could further accelerate momentum.
Retail investors continue accumulating through ETFs while veterans take profits—a dynamic that may create healthier market foundations than previous cycles. The convergence of these factors positions 2026 as a potential inflection point for broader digital asset adoption.