While the cryptocurrency market was shaken by a sharp withdrawal exceeding 40 percent after the historical peaks seen in October 2025, Matt Hougan, Head of Investment Office of Bitwise, one of the most established institutions in the industry, broke his silence. Hougan, who manages a huge asset of approximately $15 billion, publicly announced four digital assets that he sees as indispensable for 2026, defying the deepening bear market. Participating in the broadcast called “When Shift Happens”, the experienced name presented a strategic road map based on corporate adaptation and infrastructure requirements rather than speculative expectations.
The New Gold of Sovereign States: Bitcoin and Smart Contract Basket
Bitcoin, which is at the center of Matt Hougan’s strategy, is no longer just an investment tool but has been registered as a global “digital gold”. According to the Bitwise manager, Bitcoin’s struggle for leadership in the field of monetary assets has already ended and the absolute winner of this game has been determined. Despite the current pessimistic mood of the market, it is emphasized that Bitcoin’s fundamental value proposition has reached an unshakable point.
Particularly the expectations regarding Bitcoin purchases by sovereign states constitute the most striking part of the analysis in the article. Hougan states that the market sees active purchases by the US government as almost impossible, but he evaluates this possibility at 25 percent. Bitwise, which is already in close contact with central banks such as Abu Dhabi and Luxembourg, foresees a scenario in which the price could immediately jump to half a million dollars as government funds enter the field.
When it comes to smart contract platforms, a diversified basket is recommended instead of focusing on a single name. In this field where giants such as Ethereum and Solana compete, Hougan argues that a “basket” strategy should be followed instead of trying to pick the winner. This approach aims to minimize risk in layer-1 projects where technological uncertainties and competition are intense.
New Rails of Finance and the Strategic Role of Chainlink
Described as the surprise name of 2026, Chainlink serves as a critical bridge in the integration of traditional finance with Blockchain systems. The digitalization of a huge market worth hundreds of trillions of dollars in total, such as bonds, stocks and real estate, increases the need for data provider oracles systems day by day. Chainlink is positioned as the indispensable infrastructure provider of this massive transformation.
To realize this potential, Bitwise opened its own Chainlink ETF (CLNK) for trading on NYSE Arca in January 2026, paving the way for institutional interest. The fact that giants such as BlackRock and Goldman Sachs signal the transition to Blockchain-based transaction systems proves that Chainlink is not just an altcoin, but a basic building block of the new financial system. This process, which has been likened to early ETF investments, points to a period in which skeptics will be wrong again.
Pointing out that tokenization has a much greater opportunity than fixed coins, Hougan emphasizes the importance of correctly reading the flow direction of corporate money. The preparations of institutions such as the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq to transition to digital rails are seen as a catalyst that will increase the value of data bridges such as Chainlink. The price pressure created by the bear market is described as an illusion for investors who ignore such structural transformations.
