Bitwise CIO forecasts 10-100x growth in blockchain transaction volume driven by tokenized markets and AI agents trading autonomously.
AI & Agents ·
Bitwise's chief investment officer Matt Hougan has forecast a potential 10-100x increase in blockchain transaction volume, attributing the growth to expansion in tokenized markets and autonomous trading by AI agents. The projection reflects a view that two separate trends—the proliferation of tokenized financial instruments and the deployment of AI agents executing trades on behalf of users—could substantially reshape blockchain activity at scale.
Hougan's outlook connects to Bitwise's existing product strategy and institutional focus. The firm already manages tokenized vehicles such as its USCC Crypto Carry Fund, which has accumulated over $120 million in deposits, and operates staking-integrated products like BHYP. The argument suggests that as tokenization deepens and autonomous agents become more prevalent in crypto markets, the underlying blockchain infrastructure would need to support far higher transaction throughput than current levels.
The forecast remains qualitative and time-bound is unspecified. No breakdown between the two drivers—tokenized markets versus AI agents—has been disclosed, nor have specific blockchain projects or asset classes been identified as primary beneficiaries. The claim sits at the intersection of institutional adoption and emerging technologies, both areas still early in practical deployment at scale.