Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan has outlined nine key narratives that could shape the next cryptocurrency market cycle, despite the ongoing market downturn. Speaking in late January 2026, Hougan noted that the crypto market entered a prolonged winter in January 2025, with Bitcoin and Ethereum down 39% and 53% from their cycle highs, respectively. He attributed the downturn to falling prices, leverage unwinds, and profit-taking, drawing parallels to previous bear markets. Looking forward, Hougan highlighted several emerging themes, including blockchain revenue growth, AI-driven finance, and the scaling of stablecoins from billions to trillions. He emphasized the potential for blockchains to generate hundreds of billions in revenue annually and predicted that AI agents would increasingly rely on crypto and DeFi. Hougan also pointed to institutional adoption, regulatory progress, and tokenization as significant drivers, noting that clearer regulatory frameworks could accelerate investment. Additionally, he mentioned the growth of DeFi and Ethereum's renewed focus as pivotal for the network's future.