Matt Hougan Names Four Coins Set to Dominate the Market—Which Other Three Besides Bitcoin?

▲ Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), Chainlink (LINK) / Image generated by ChatGPT

Matt Hougan, Chief Investment Officer at Bitwise, compared four key coins poised to dominate the digital asset market to Mount Rushmore, declaring the beginning of a long-term reign.

In an episode released on February 21 (local time), Paul Barron, host of the cryptocurrency-focused Paul Barron Podcast, cited Hougan’s latest analysis and unveiled the four core assets underpinning the digital asset market. Hougan identified Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), and Chainlink (LINK) as the Mount Rushmore of the crypto industry, analyzing that these assets serve as the backbone of the entire ecosystem. Bitcoin has solidified its status as a store of value, while Ethereum is recognized as the leading smart contract platform.

Solana has set the standard for next-generation blockchains with its overwhelming processing speed and scalability, while Chainlink stands at the forefront of oracle networks connecting real-world data to blockchain systems. Hougan explained that beyond simply holding large market shares, these four assets have built technological sophistication and ecosystem influence that create moats other projects cannot easily overcome. He predicted that as institutional investors continue entering the digital asset market, capital concentration toward core assets that offer both stability and growth potential will intensify further.

As the digital asset market matures, investors are advised to focus on assets with tangible utility and strong network effects. Hougan emphasized that the time has come to move beyond past speculative frenzy and carefully evaluate each project’s intrinsic value and real-world use cases. Various crypto index funds managed by Bitwise are also focused on long-term value preservation and growth, and the four major assets are expected to occupy essential allocations in institutional portfolios.

The official recognition of Solana and Chainlink as next-generation leaders alongside Bitcoin and Ethereum reflects the market’s technological progress and generational shift. Hougan analyzed that the powerful network effects established by these assets will pose significant barriers to entry for newcomers, further solidifying a market structure centered on them. As digital assets become integrated into mainstream institutional finance, the influence of these so-called four titans is expected to continue expanding.

This announcement is viewed as providing clear portfolio guidelines for investors seeking reliable investment indicators amid an uncertain market environment. Bitwise plans to continue supporting qualitative growth in digital asset portfolios in line with global asset management trends. Market participants are closely monitoring the movements of the four key assets identified by Hougan as they redefine their long-term investment strategies.

Disclaimer: This article is for investment reference only, and we are not responsible for any investment losses incurred based on it. The content should be interpreted solely for informational purposes.