Bitwise CEO Hunter Horsley and MetaMask CEO Joseph Lubin have declared the end of the crypto winter. Horsley attributes this shift to the exit of market sellers, increased institutional activity, and improved revenue metrics across platforms. He also highlighted that access to crypto through ETFs and ETPs has reached record levels.
Horsley noted that the sector has gained significant substance throughout 2026, fostering investor optimism. Regarding Bitcoin, he suggested that a new all-time high could occur sooner than anticipated. At the time of reporting, Bitcoin was trading at $83 309, which is 33.9 percent below its peak of $126 080 reached on October 6, 2025.
Joseph Lubin, co-founder of Ethereum, stated that the market downturn concluded some time ago. He emphasized the role of Ethereum as a neutral settlement layer and its dominance as a smart contract platform. Lubin also pointed to the growing integration of stablecoins and real-world assets into decentralized finance as evidence of market maturity.
Both executives addressed the legislative landscape, specifically the Clarity Act. While the bill failed to advance in the Senate, Horsley noted that it has not hindered client operations. Lubin expressed confidence that the SEC and CFTC will provide necessary regulatory clarity through future rulemaking and no-action letters.
