Haciyev Reşit 
As the crypto market remains in a bearish phase, Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan has highlighted four cryptocurrencies expected to stand out in 2026. Given that Bitwise manages over $15 billion in assets and provides guidance to institutional investors, Hougan’s insights are closely followed by the market. According to him, the four key cryptocurrencies that investors should watch in this cycle are Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and Chainlink. These selections provide an important strategic roadmap from a corporate perspective, especially during a period of market weakness.
Bitcoin Still at the Top
Matt Hougan describes Bitcoin as the clear winner in the digital store-of-value category. In his view, Bitcoin remains unrivaled in the digital gold narrative and is set to maintain its leadership in this space over the long term. Factors such as its limited supply, global recognition, and growing institutional adoption distinguish Bitcoin from other cryptocurrencies.
Hougan stated:
“I am fully confident that Bitcoin will win the digital gold and store-of-value category. I believe this race is largely over, and Bitcoin has won.”
He notes that Bitcoin is now on the radar not only of individual investors but also of institutional funds and potential sovereign reserves. Spot Bitcoin ETFs and rising institutional adoption strengthen BTC’s role in the financial system. Hougan emphasizes that, with institutional interest and potential government purchases, Bitcoin is expected to remain the strongest cryptocurrency over the long term. One of Hougan’s most notable assessments involves possible government purchases. The Bitwise CIO estimates a 10–25% probability of the U.S. government actively buying Bitcoin. If realized, this scenario could push Bitcoin’s price above $500,000. Hougan believes markets are largely overlooking this potential. Discussions Bitwise has had with central banks and sovereign wealth funds suggest that some countries may have already begun acquiring Bitcoin.
Ethereum and Solana: Smart Contract Competition
Regarding smart contract platforms, Hougan argues that investing in multiple strong projects is a healthier strategy than focusing on a single winner. He identifies Ethereum and Solana as the two leading ecosystems, both demonstrating strong growth potential through developer activity, user numbers, and application diversity. Ethereum retains a leadership position in terms of institutional adoption and the DeFi ecosystem, while Solana continues to attract users with high transaction speeds and low costs. Hougan believes that this competitive dynamic will ultimately drive long-term sector growth. Therefore, he suggests a diversified approach within the smart contract platform category is more balanced and strategic than focusing on a single project.
Surprise Pick: Chainlink
One of Hougan’s most interesting picks is Chainlink. He expects oracle infrastructure to become increasingly critical as stablecoins and real-world asset tokenization grow, with Chainlink positioned as the strongest player in this space. Hougan highlights that tokenization opportunities are not limited to stablecoins; the tokenization of global equities, bonds, and real estate represents a massive market potential.
“Tokenization is a multi-trillion-dollar opportunity. For this system to work, you need oracle infrastructure, and Chainlink could dominate this field,” he said.
Bitwise’s launch of a Chainlink ETF in early 2026 is also seen as a potential catalyst for LINK. Matt Hougan’s four crypto picks for 2026 provide key signals from a corporate investor perspective. While Bitcoin continues to assert its dominance, Ethereum and Solana remain strong in the smart contract ecosystem. Chainlink emerges as a potential surprise star, driven by tokenization and infrastructure growth. During this bearish market phase, institutional strategies continue to offer critical guidance for investors.
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