# Bitcoin may surge by year‑end, says Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan

**Published:** 2026-07-18T18:01:20.159Z  
**Topic:** Bitcoin  
**Sentiment:** neutral  
**Publisher:** TrendWatcher — https://www.trendwatcher.in/article/8797d6b1-0562-47f5-acd2-01855753effc

Bitcoin price around $64,000, up from $59,000, with Bitwise CIO forecasting a substantial year‑end rise as institutional demand and tokenisation milestones

Bitcoin rallied to roughly $64,000 after hovering near $59,000, and Bitwise chief investment officer Matt Hougan told CNBC the cryptocurrency is at a “turning point” that could see it “substantially higher” by year‑end【3】. The comment comes as institutional investors increasingly add Bitcoin to their portfolios and token‑settlement infrastructure expands, signaling a potential shift in market dynamics.  

| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Price | ~ $64,000 |
| Recent range | $59,000‑$64,000 |
| Catalyst | Spot Bitcoin ETFs, DTCC same‑day settlement tokenisation |
| On‑chain context | ~$300 bn of assets on chain vs ~$600 tn global financial assets |

## Institutional demand and tokenisation progress  
Hougan highlighted that spot Bitcoin exchange‑traded funds (ETFs) and recent token‑settlement developments by the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) mark a “milestone for blockchain adoption”【3】. While the direct price impact of these moves is still early, the growing presence of firms such as BlackRock and Morgan Stanley in Bitcoin‑related products suggests a broader shift from retail‑driven buying to institutional participation.  

## Bitcoin’s long‑term performance and market maturity  
Over the past decade Bitcoin has delivered an approximate 16,000 % gain, contrasting with a 28 % decline in U.S. dollar purchasing power over the same period【3】. Hougan noted that the current bear market has erased about 50 % of the asset’s peak, less severe than the roughly 80 % drawdowns seen in earlier cycles, indicating a maturing market with potentially reduced volatility as institutional ownership expands【3】.  

## On‑chain asset size versus global finance  
The CIO pointed out that only about $300 billion of assets are currently on‑chain, a fraction of the roughly $600 trillion in total global financial assets【3】. He argued that if “all capital markets come on chain” the scale of Bitcoin and other digital assets could rise dramatically, reinforcing the longer‑term upside narrative.  

## What to watch  
- **Price thresholds:** $68,000 resistance and $60,000 support as the asset tests its recent range.  
- **Regulatory milestones:** Any SEC decision on additional spot Bitcoin ETFs, which could broaden institutional access.  
- **On‑chain adoption:** Roll‑out of DTCC’s same‑day settlement tokenisation and subsequent on‑chain asset growth metrics.  

Hougan’s outlook hinges on the premise that Bitcoin’s institutionalisation and tokenisation breakthroughs will lift demand, but the timing and magnitude of any price move remain uncertain, leaving the market poised for a potentially decisive year‑end rally.

## Sources
1. CNBC on MSN — [Bitcoin at a turning point, could be 'substantially higher' by year end, says Bitwise CIO](https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/technology/bitcoin-at-a-turning-point-could-be-substantially-higher-by-year-end-says-bitwise-cio/vi-AA27ZM8D?ocid=BingNewsVerp)
2. Coin-informer — [Bitcoin at a turning point, could be 'substantially higher ...](https://www.coin-informer.com/news/bitcoin-at-a-turning-point-could-be-substantially-higher-by-2026-07-15/)
3. Sahmcapital — [Bitcoin 'May Be at a Turning Point,' Could Surge Into Year ...](https://www.sahmcapital.com/news/content/bitcoin-may-be-at-a-turning-point-could-surge-into-year-end-bitwises-matt-hougan-says-2026-07-16)
4. CNBC — [Bitcoin at a turning point, could be 'substantially higher ...Bitcoin 'may be at a turning point,' could surge into year ...Bitcoin at a turning point, could be 'substantially higher ...Bitcoin 'May Be at a Turning Point,' Could Surge Into Year ...Bitcoin 'May Be at a Turning Point,' Could Surge Into Year ...Bitwise CIO Says ‘Unrelenting Demand’ for Bitcoin Could Boost ...Bitcoin retail buyer at 'max desperation,' but no crypto ...](https://www.cnbc.com/video/2026/07/15/bitcoin-at-a-turning-point-could-be-substantially-higher-by-year-end-says-bitwise-cio.html)

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Cite as: TrendWatcher, "Bitcoin may surge by year‑end, says Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan", https://www.trendwatcher.in/article/8797d6b1-0562-47f5-acd2-01855753effc