Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan: Bitcoin Is King, but Diversification Is Key

While Bitcoin continues to lead the current bull cycle — powered by spot ETF inflows and corporate accumulation — Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan says investors shouldn't ignore the broader crypto landscape.

Despite Bitcoin’s continued dominance of the current bull cycle — driven by spot ETF inflows and corporate accumulation — investors shouldn’t neglect the broader crypto landscape, according to Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan.

In a recent note to clients, Hougan likened Bitcoin’s preeminence to Google’s dominance in 2004, asserting that although Bitcoin is “digital gold” and the only asset with the potential to become a globally significant currency, it shouldn’t be the sole crypto in an investor’s portfolio.

“Bitcoin is the king — largest, most liquid, most established,” Hougan stated. “But that doesn’t mean it should be the only thing you own.”

He highlighted Ethereum’s substantial recovery, surging 40% over the past week, as an indicator of the growing strength in the altcoin sector.

This surge has brought renewed focus on the importance of diversification in the crypto market, particularly as the sector matures and institutional participation increases.

As Hougan noted, the crypto market is still relatively young, and like any new asset class, it takes time for institutions to fully engage.

“We’re still in the early stages of this new asset class and it will take some time for institutions to get comfortable with the asset class in general and Bitwise’s role within it,” he said.

However, he believes that as more institutions enter the space, they will naturally seek to diversify their crypto holdings beyond Bitcoin.

This move toward diversification is already evident, with several large institutions, such as Goldman Sachs and Charles Schwab, applying for approval to launch their own Bitcoin ETFs.

Moreover, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently approved the first spot cryptocurrency ETF in the United States, setting the stage for further institutional interest in the crypto market.

With the crypto sector constantly evolving, it will be interesting to observe how institutional participation shapes the future of digital assets.output: Bitcoins (BTC) are seen on display at the Bitcoin Center in San Salvador, El Salvador, July 21, 2023.

Bitcoin is the foundation, not the whole house, according to Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan.

In a recent note to clients, Hougan likened Bitcoin’s preeminence to Google’s dominance in 2004, asserting that it is “digital gold” and the only asset with the potential to become a globally significant currency. However, he believes it shouldn’t be the sole crypto in an investor’s portfolio.

“Bitcoin is the king — largest, most liquid, most established,” Hougan stated. “But that doesn’t mean it should be the only thing you own.”

He highlighted Ethereum’s substantial recovery, surging 40% over the past week, as an indicator of the growing strength in the altcoin sector.

This surge has brought renewed focus on the importance of diversification in the crypto market, particularly as the sector matures and institutional participation increases.

As Hougan noted, the crypto market is still relatively young, and like any new asset class, it takes time for institutions to fully engage.

“We’re still in the early stages of this new asset class and it will take some time for institutions to get comfortable with the asset class in general and Bitwise’s role within it,” he said.

However, he believes that as more institutions enter the space, they will naturally seek to diversify their crypto holdings beyond Bitcoin.

This move toward diversification is already evident, with several large institutions, such as Goldman Sachs and Charles Schwab, applying for approval to launch their own Bitcoin ETFs.

Moreover, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently approved the first spot cryptocurrency ETF in the United States, setting the stage for further institutional interest in the crypto market.

With the crypto sector constantly evolving, it will be interesting to observe how institutional participation shapes the future of digital assets.