Wintermute: To escape the crypto market dilemma, ETFs need to expand investment scope, with leading assets driving gains and attracting retail investor attention back

BTC-0,1%
ETH-0,64%

BlockBeats News, January 19 — Wintermute released a recent article stating that 2025 did not bring the expected market rally, but it may be seen as the beginning of cryptocurrencies shifting from a speculative asset to a more mature asset class. The traditional four-year cycle pattern is failing. Market performance is no longer dominated by self-fulfilling narrative timelines but depends on the flow of liquidity and the focus of investor attention.

In 2025, there was no outflow of funds from Bitcoin to Ethereum, and then transmitted to the altcoin market. As retail interest shifted to the stock market, 2025 became a year of extreme centralization. The average rebound cycle for altcoins shortened to 20 days (from 60 days in 2024). A few leading assets absorbed the vast majority of new funds, while the broader market struggled. To break through the limitations of leading assets, at least one of the following three conditions must occur:

· ETFs and digital asset trust funds expand investment scope

· Leading assets like BTC, ETH strongly lead the rally

· Retail investor attention (from stock markets, etc.) returns

The final outcome will depend on whether these catalysts can truly expand liquidity beyond a few major assets or if market centralization continues to intensify. Understanding the potential capital flows and the structural changes needed will determine the market dynamics of 2026.

Disclaimer: The information on this page may come from third parties and does not represent the views or opinions of Gate. The content displayed on this page is for reference only and does not constitute any financial, investment, or legal advice. Gate does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and shall not be liable for any losses arising from the use of this information. Virtual asset investments carry high risks and are subject to significant price volatility. You may lose all of your invested principal. Please fully understand the relevant risks and make prudent decisions based on your own financial situation and risk tolerance. For details, please refer to Disclaimer.

Related Articles

Upcoming 'Bitcoin' Movie With Casey Affleck, Gal Gadot Probes Satoshi’s Identity

A film exploring Bitcoin’s origins is moving toward global release while spotlighting the mystery of Satoshi Nakamoto. Starring Gal Gadot and Casey Affleck, it revisits Craig Wright’s contested claims and their impact on Bitcoin’s identity. Key Takeaways: New Bitcoin film stars Casey Affleck and

Coinpedia6m ago

MicroStrategy buys 34,164 BTC in one week, spending $2.54 billion: the third-largest purchase in history, with total holdings of 815k BTC surpassing BlackRock

MicroStrategy bought 34,164 bitcoins for $2.54 billion last week, bringing its total holdings to 815k BTC, making it the largest bitcoin-holding institution in the world. The funding source was mainly raised through STRC preferred shares and common stock offerings, reflecting a signal from institutions to buy in the face of market weakness. Although the MSTR stock price faces short-term pressure, it still shows a strong long-term capital allocation trend, providing multiple ways for investors in Taiwan to participate.

ChainNewsAbmedia1h ago

Tether Holds 8.2% Stake in Bitcoin Mining Finance Firm Antalpha Following $49.3M IPO

Tether and CEO Giancarlo Devasini own 1.95 million shares (8.2%) in Bitcoin mining finance company Antalpha, which raised $49.3 million in its IPO. Antalpha offers Bitcoin-collateralized lending and has a $1.6 billion loan portfolio.

GateNews1h ago

Crypto ETPs Record $1.4B Weekly Inflows as Bitcoin Rally Extends Rally Optimism

Cryptocurrency ETPs saw $1.4 billion in inflows last week, marking the highest since January, driven mainly by Bitcoin. Year-to-date inflows reached $3.8 billion, boosted by positive geopolitical sentiment and Bitcoin price increases.

GateNews2h ago

Empery Digital Reduces Bitcoin Holdings by 20 BTC, Total Position Falls to 2,914

Empery Digital sold 20 BTC for around $1.5 million, raising its total holdings to 2,914 BTC. The company plans to continue selling bitcoin to fund share repurchases and manage debt.

GateNews3h ago

Ionic Digital's Bitcoin Mining Output Falls 14.9% in March, Holdings Rise to 2,815 BTC

Ionic Digital reported a 14.9% decline in March bitcoin mining output, producing 28.05 BTC with a hash rate decrease of 19.4%. The company holds 2,815.6 BTC and maintained zero debt, selling no bitcoin in March.

GateNews3h ago
Comment
0/400
No comments