Bitwise Chief Investment Officer Matt Hougan cautioned investors that ongoing market uncertainty is driving significant volatility in Bitcoin and other digital assets but expressed optimism for a recovery later in the year.
In his latest investor note, Hougan highlighted key challenges, including the upcoming US presidential election and ongoing debates over Federal Reserve rate cuts, as major factors influencing the current downturn.
According to Hougan:
“Markets hate uncertainty, and right now, there’s plenty of it.”
He added that with no clear direction on US leadership and monetary policy, Bitcoin has already fallen 7% in the first week of September, adding to a trend of historically poor performance during this month.
The “September Effect”
Bitcoin’s September struggles are nothing new, according to Hougan, who pointed to the flagship crypto’s average 4.5% decline during the month since 2010.
Historically, Bitcoin has experienced losses in nine of the last 13 Septembers, with 2011 marking its worst performance ever — dropping 41.2%. Hougan acknowledged that this pattern continues to play out, with this year already seeing significant losses.
He said:
“The September Effect is real, and Bitcoin has suffered through it time and again.”
He cited several possible causes for this trend, including broader declines in risk assets, with the Nasdaq-100 down nearly 6% so far this month.
Additionally, heightened SEC enforcement actions often peak in September, further pressuring the crypto market. Recent actions, including settlements and lawsuits against crypto firms like Galois Capital and OpenSea, have added to the uncertainty.
Potential rebound
Despite the current headwinds, Hougan expressed confidence that Bitcoin and other digital assets could stage a strong recovery in the final months of the year.
Historically, October and November have been two of the best months for Bitcoin investors, with October earning the nickname “Uptober” due to its 30% average rise. Hougan believes that as the uncertainty surrounding the U.S. election and Federal Reserve policy eases, the market will find its footing.
He added:
“My base case remains that we see a significant rally as uncertainty starts to dissipate in October and November.”
He pointed out that while ETF flows into Bitcoin and Ethereum have softened recently, the broader adoption of Bitcoin ETFs by investment advisors has continued at a record pace, signaling long-term confidence in the asset class.
