Bitwise CIO Identifies Top Cryptocurrency Picks for Long-Term Growth

Bitwise Chief Investment Officer Matt Hougan has named four cryptocurrencies as must-own assets in the coming years, despite the current bear market. The company's CIO has extensive experience and influence in the industry, managing over $15 billion in client assets and consulting with central banks on digital asset strategy.

Hougan's picks include Bitcoin, which he believes will dominate the 'digital gold' space, as well as Ethereum, Solana, and Chainlink. He argues that while smart contract platforms are competitive, a basket approach to investing may be more effective than betting on a single winner.

One of Hougan's most surprising predictions is that sovereign Bitcoin purchases could have a significant impact on prices. He believes that the probability of such purchases is currently underestimated by markets, with a 10-25% chance of active buying beyond seized holdings. This could lead to an instant price increase to half a million dollars or more.

Chainlink's potential for growth is also highlighted by Hougan, who argues that its use as an oracle infrastructure could become essential as stablecoins and tokenization grow in importance. With major institutions signaling a shift to blockchain-based rails, Chainlink's dominance of the market could lead to significant price increases.