Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan Says 100+ Crypto ETFs “Palooza” Is Coming

A major shift may be coming to the crypto investment world and Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan believes it’s about to hit fast. With the U.S. government now reopened and key legislation moving again, Hougan says the industry should brace for what he calls an “ETF Palooza in Cryptoland.”

And this prediction lands at a tense moment, with Bitcoin briefly falling below $90,000 for the first time since April.

Bitwise Sees More Than 100 Crypto ETFs Launching

Speaking to CNBC, Hougan said he expects over 100 new crypto ETFs and ETPs to roll out in 2026. Single-asset products will still come, but he’s far more bullish on something else: index-based ETPs.

“We’re going to see a lot of single asset crypto ETPs. What I’m most excited about, though, is the growth of index based crypto ETPs,” he said.

According to him, the next wave of investors isn’t here to choose sides in the usual Ethereum vs. Solana debates. They want simple, broad exposure and a basket they can buy once and hold for years.

Index ETPs Could Become the Default Way to Buy Crypto

Hougan expects index products to become one of next year’s biggest stories and, eventually, the most common way people invest in crypto.

His reasoning is straightforward: most new investors treat crypto as a small slice of their portfolios and don’t want to study every chain. They want long-term market exposure without the homework.

He’s confident about where this is headed. “This industry will be 10 times bigger than it is today,” he said.

Bitcoin Pulls Back, but Demand for ETFs Stays Strong

Even as Bitcoin cools off – dropping from highs near $126,000 last month – Bitwise expects record flows into crypto ETPs. The market may be shaky, but institutional interest hasn’t gone anywhere.

Bitwise recently launched its Solana Staking ETF on October 28. The fund stakes almost all of its SOL on-chain and reinvests the rewards.

It’s down 27% since launch but jumped 9% on Tuesday.

Political Developments Add Momentum

Fundstrat’s Tom Lee believes the Trump administration is playing a meaningful role here.

He says “experimentation and innovation are being encouraged,” which could help speed up product approvals and support the incoming wave of ETFs.