CF Benchmarks
CF benchmarks logo

Feb 04, 2026

CFB Talks Digital Assets Episode 53: Bitwise's Juan Leon on the 2026 Playbook: allocator adoption, regulatory catalysts, and production

In CF Benchmarks’ 2026 outlook, “Risk-On Reloaded,” the base case is disinflation with noise, moderating growth, and a policy and liquidity backdrop that can reopen risk appetite and widen participation.

To pressure-test the thesis, we’re delighted to welcome Juan Leon, Senior Strategist at Bitwise, to the CFB Talks Digital Assets podcast!

We also explore whether Bitcoin and altcoins are poised for a catch-up trade, and whether regulatory clarity unlocks a new wave of product innovation.

From the current state of market structure legislation, to allocator and advisor adoption, to long-term capital market assumptions, Juan dives into Bitwise’s 2026 predictions and maps what matters most in the year ahead.

Join us for a discussion covering what we’re watching for in 2026, including:

  • Why “risk-on reloaded” could broaden performance beyond Bitcoin, and what a catch-up trade looks like
  • Bitwise’s “if clarity passes” framework: what a regulatory breakthrough really unlocks for participation
  • Whether Bitcoin’s four-year cycle breaks, and what would have to change for that to happen
  • The allocator moment: why adoption among endowments, advisors, and institutions may be approaching an inflection point as career risk falls
  • Utility-driven growth flywheels: prediction markets and stablecoins
  • What Bitwise is focused on next: products, approvals, and the near-to-medium term roadmap

If 2026 is the year macro turns supportive, clarity arrives, and crypto breadth finally shows up, these outlooks will help you navigate the year ahead.

Listen on Spotify

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Listen on Amazon Music

Listen on YouTube (audio only)

Catch all episodes here

Subscribe for updates!


The information contained within is for educational and informational purposes ONLY. It is not intended nor should it be considered an invitation or inducement to buy or sell any of the underlying instruments cited including but not limited to cryptoassets, financial instruments or any instruments that reference any index provided by CF Benchmarks Ltd. This communication is not intended to persuade or incite you to buy or sell security or securities noted within. Any commentary provided is the opinion of the author and should not be considered a personalised recommendation. Please contact your financial adviser or professional before making an investment decision.


Note: Some of the underlying instruments cited within this material may be restricted to certain customer categories in certain jurisdictions.


Ken Odeluga
Ken Odeluga

Ken Odeluga

More on this subject

Factor Friday - April 10, 2026

The market posted its strongest week of 2026 at +7.1%. However, factor breadth was notably thin. Size was the only non-market factor to finish positive at +1.3%, while growth and value lagged, suggesting the rally was driven by directional flows rather than fundamentals.

Mark Pilipczuk
Mark Pilipczuk

Mark Pilipczuk

9 mins read
CFB Talks Digital Assets Episode 56: Live X Space - Bitcoin In Crisis

Head of Research Gabe Selby, CFA is joined by Kraken's Chief Economist Thomas Perfumo, CFA, CF Benchmarks Research Analyst, Mark Pilipczuk, and Senior Product Manager, Cristian Isac.

Ken Odeluga
Ken Odeluga

Ken Odeluga

1 mins read
Announcement of Consultation on Changes to the CME CF Bitcoin Volatility Index - Settlement Methodology

The Administrator is launching a consultation on proposed changes to the CME CF Bitcoin Volatility Index - Settlement (BVXS) Methodology.

CF Benchmarks
CF Benchmarks

CF Benchmarks

1 mins read
More posts...

Footer

Legal

Subscribe to our newsletter

The latest news, articles, and resources, sent to your inbox weekly.

By submitting this form, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Already subscribed? Manage your preferences

© 2026 CF Benchmarks Ltd. All rights reserved.

CF Benchmarks Ltd (“CF Benchmarks”), a company registered in England and Wales with company number 11654816 and authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Information about us can be found on the Financial Services Register (register number 847100).

Registered Office: 6th Floor One London Wall, London, United Kingdom, EC2Y 5EB.

You agree not to, and have no rights to, use the CF Benchmarks Data to create, calculate, issue, settle, maintain, support or develop any financial instruments (including but, without limitation exchange traded products, certificates, warrants, contracts for difference, swaps, binary options, structured products), indices, products, services (including but without limitation, portfolio management services, pre- and post-trade risk management services, or valuation services) or any other derivative works without the express written consent of CF Benchmarrks.

You agree not to analyze, reverse-engineer or disassemble any CF Benchmarks data and not to insert any code or product to manipulate the Website content in any way that affects any user’s experience. Unless CF Benchmarks gives you prior written permission, use of any Web browsers (other than generally available third-party browsers), engines, scripts, software, spiders, robots, avatars, agents, tools or other devices or mechanisms (such as crawlers, browser plug-ins and add-ons, or other technology) to navigate, access, copy in bulk, retrieve, harvest, index, search or analyse any portion of the Website is strictly prohibited.

No part of this information may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of CF Benchmarks Ltd. Use and distribution of the CF Benchmarks data requires a license from CF Benchmarks or its authorized licensing agents.

All information is provided for information purposes only. All information and data contained on this website is obtained by CF Benchmarks, from sources believed by it to be accurate and reliable. Such information and data is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind.

CF Benchmarks, nor its directors, officers, employees, partners or licensors make any claim, prediction, warranty or representation whatsoever, expressly or implied, either as to the accuracy, timeliness, completeness or merchantability of any information or of results to be obtained from the use of the CF Benchmarks indices or the fitness or suitability of the same indices for any particular purpose to which they might be put. Any representation of historical data accessible through CF Benchmarks indices is provided for information purposes only and is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

No responsibility or liability can be accepted by CF Benchmarks nor their respective directors, officers, employees, partners or licensors for any loss or damage in whole or in part caused by, resulting from, or relating to any error (negligent or otherwise) or other circumstance involved in procuring, collecting, compiling, interpreting, analysing, editing, transcribing, transmitting, communicating or delivering any such information or data or from use of this website or links to this website.

CF Benchmarks and its respective directors, officers, employees, partners or licensors do not provide investment advice and nothing accessible through CF Benchmarks, should be taken as constituting financial or investment advice or a financial promotion. Charts and graphs are provided for illustrative purposes only. Index returns shown may not represent the results of the actual trading of any assets.

CF Benchmarks is a member of the Crypto Facilities group of companies which is in turn a member of the Payward, Inc. group of companies.
  • Payward, Inc. is the owner and operator of the Kraken Exchange, a venue that facilitates the trading of cryptocurrencies. The Kraken Exchange is a source of input data for certain CF Benchmarks indices.
  • Payward, Inc. is the owner and operator of the Staked, a venue that operates the block production nodes for decentralized PoS protocols on behalf of institutional investors. Staked.us is a source of input data for certain CF Benchmarks indices.

Please refer to the individual product family documentation for more information about applicable input data sources.

By clicking Accept, you consent to CF Benchmarks's use of cookies.

Visit Cookie Settings to learn how CF Benchmarks uses cookies and to adjust your preferences.

Cookie Settings