Everyone’s Depressed in Crypto — But Bitwise’s CEO Says That’s What Winning Looks Like

Crypto might be having a vibes crisis after Bitcoin slipped below $110,000. A wave of industry veterans say the mood across group chats and social media feels like a bear market.

However, according to Bitwise CEO Hunter Horsley, that disconnect might actually be a sign that crypto has finally matured.

Bitwise and Nick Carter Say Crypto’s Boredom Signals Its Maturity

“Crypto natives are now in a multi-month bear market sentiment.” These are the words of Hunter Horsley, the CEO of one of the largest crypto index fund managers.

The statement comes after Bitcoin slipped below $110,000 and was trading at $109,535 on Friday during the early hours of the US session.

Against this backdrop, sentiment on X (Twitter), like on crypto media, is sour. However, Horsley highlights the receding regulatory risk and the abounding institutional interest, noting unprecedented market growth.

“The sentiment off-Twitter is best it’s ever been. The market is changing,” he added.

Horsley’s post follows a viral comment from analyst and investor Will Clemente, who lamented that “the vibes in the crypto group chats are just sad… everyone seems jaded, depressed, and defeated.”

His observation captures what many traders have been sharing, that despite a strong macro backdrop, enthusiasm feels muted.

However, venture capitalist Nick Carter of Castle Island Ventures argued that this so-called boredom is actually a victory lap in disguise.

“Crypto is boring because so many of the open questions have been answered. Will stablecoins be allowed? Yes. Will we be banned? No. Will we be incorporated into TradFi? Yes… These are the hallmarks of an industry that won,” Carter wrote.

Carter said the space’s reduced volatility and regulatory clarity reflect a “mature, de-risked technological substrate” that now attracts serious businesses and Web2 professionals rather than speculative risk-takers.

In his view, crypto’s chaos-driven edge has been replaced by a new competitive advantage, the ability to deliver real consumer value.

That shift, Carter added, means crypto natives no longer control the narrative. Instead, traditional finance, corporates, and payments players are increasingly shaping the next growth cycle.

“If you’re sad that volatility has been dampened, smile through the tears — it means we won,” he wrote.

In the same tone, Messari analyst Dan noted that quieter markets are not a bad thing.

“It makes me feel good when tourists leave and traders get rekt. It’s more comfortable when the ecosystem is dominated by people who actually understand the long run,” Dan chimed.

The irony is that crypto’s malaise may mark the moment it crosses into the mainstream of finance. As the speculative thrill fades and structure sets in, the mood might feel like a bear market.

However, the fundamentals suggest this may be what winning looks like.