Wintermute Says 4-Year Crypto Cycle Has Broken as ETFs, DATs and Retail Rotation Shape 2026 Outlook
Wintermute's year-end 2025 analysis argues that crypto's historical four-year bull cycle has broken down, with ETF and digital asset treasury flows concentrating liquidity in Bitcoin and Ethereum instead of rotating into altcoins. The firm's trading and derivatives data shows shorter altcoin rallies, deepening institutional engagement, and a major October 10 deleveraging, while it highlights three potential catalysts that could broaden market participation in 2026.