Main Points:
- Market Bottoms and Future Bull Runs: Experts at the LONGITUDE panel in Paris stated that despite recent market turmoil, the parabolic uptrend of Bitcoin and altcoins is “still to come,” with the true bullish cycle expected to start in Q3 or Q4 of this year.
- Historical Precedents: Comparisons with past crises such as the COVID-19 crash indicate that severe downturns can create the conditions for monumental rebounds.
- Regulatory and Policy Influences: U.S. policies, including potential regulatory shifts and the appointment of crypto-friendly figures to key positions, are seen as crucial tailwinds for the forthcoming bullish phase.
- Trade and Macro Environment: Despite short-term setbacks driven by tariff shocks and global trade tensions, many experts believe that robust market recovery will follow after coordinated monetary policy actions.
- Divergent Trends Across the Market: While certain speculative segments—like meme coins—continue to experience short-lived trends, institutional-grade assets such as Bitcoin and ETFs remain poised for a long-term bullish run.
Introduction
The cryptocurrency market has been under intense scrutiny lately as some investors fear that the worst may be over, while others argue that the long-awaited bullish cycle has not yet commenced. During the “LONGITUDE” panel discussion held on April 7, 2025, in Paris and hosted by Cointelegraph, leading industry experts converged to share their views on market trends and the future prospects of digital assets. Despite the tumultuous conditions that have characterized recent market dips, panelists confidently claimed that the parabolic upward movement of Bitcoin and altcoins is still on the horizon.
This article provides a comprehensive review of that panel discussion and integrates the latest market data and policy perspectives from additional sources. The analysis is tailored for readers exploring new crypto assets, identifying potential revenue streams, or seeking to apply blockchain technology in practical business environments. Our goal is to offer a nuanced perspective on why the bullish phase may be just beginning and how various factors—including historical market recoveries, regulatory developments, and macroeconomic influences—could combine to usher in a new era of growth in digital assets.
Panel Discussion Insights: “The Bullish Cycle Has Not Yet Begun”
Perspectives from Industry Veterans
During the LONGITUDE panel, industry veteran Michael van de Poppe, the founder of MN Capital, stated boldly that “the real bullish cycle is just beginning.” Speaking in Paris, van de Poppe drew parallels with previous market crises. He recalled the dramatic 40% one-day crash during the COVID-19 crisis in 2020 and noted that such severe selloffs historically paved the way for tremendous recoveries—sometimes propelling Bitcoin’s value to increase by twentyfold in the subsequent period. His message to investors was clear: the current market dip, despite its severity, may well be the foundation on which the next bullish run is built.
Echoing this sentiment, Eric Turner, CEO of cryptocurrency analytics firm Mesari, expressed agreement that market conditions have not yet reached the point of a genuine bull market. Turner mentioned that the recent market environment was characterized by ambiguity, with short-term trends such as surges in meme coin volumes only temporarily distracting from the underlying potential. According to Turner, the core digital asset market remains in a state of dormancy that could explode into long-term growth once the structural changes and policy shifts have fully taken hold.
Furthermore, John Patrick Marin, co-founder and CEO of MANTRA, emphasized that short-term price fluctuations should not distract investors from the broader forces at work, notably the shifts in U.S. policy. Marin pointed out that the U.S. government, led by President Trump, is reevaluating crypto regulation. Strong policy tailwinds are emerging from within the executive branch and could provide the supportive backdrop needed for a sustainable bull market. According to Marin, investors should be watching for “political and regulatory signals” as closely as for technical price movements.
Historical Comparisons and Lessons
The panelists repeatedly underlined the importance of learning from historical precedents. Van de Poppe compared the current market downturn to past severe corrections and noted that after the COVID-19 shock, Bitcoin not only recovered but surged dramatically in value. Such historical insights led many experts to predict that what appears as a market bottom now could very well serve as the launchpad for the next significant rally.
The message was that panic selling during periods of extreme volatility is not always the end but can be the beginning of a major upward trend once the market finds a robust bottom. In essence, the panel contended that the bearish sentiments prevailing today might simply be the necessary prelude to a remarkable bullish turnaround in the near future.
Regulatory and Policy Influences
U.S. Regulatory Environment: Policy Winds and Political Shifts
One of the key discussion points at the panel was the shifting regulatory environment in the United States. Recent developments have shown that President Trump has been actively involved in reworking crypto regulations. There is growing optimism among some experts that new proposals, including potential legislation around stablecoin regulation and market structure reforms, could spark a more positive policy environment.
For instance, heavy focus has been placed on the possibility of appointing crypto-friendly figures to key regulatory positions. The anticipated nomination of individuals such as Paul Atkins for the SEC chairmanship is seen as a potential catalyst for a more innovation-friendly regulatory atmosphere. Such political maneuvers could remove some of the constraints that have historically stifled the market, paving the way for broader capital inflows into mainstream crypto assets.
Trade Policies and Economic Stimulus Measures
While policy changes in the regulatory landscape suggest future bullish momentum, the panel also acknowledged the weight of adverse economic forces. The market is still reeling from recent trade shocks, including tariff announcements, dubbed as “Day of Liberation” by President Trump, which have led to significant disruptions in global trade. These measures have generated immediate selloffs, especially in high-leverage positions, leading to extreme market volatility and record liquidation losses.
However, the panelists argued that similar trade shocks in the past have frequently been followed by aggressive monetary stimulus measures—such as interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve—to stabilize the economy. In this context, the long-term outlook remains positive, provided that such macroeconomic policies are invoked to counteract the immediate negative impacts of protectionist trade policies.
Market Dynamics and Investor Sentiment
A Dual-Track Market: Institutional Investments and Speculative Trends
The discussions at LONGITUDE highlighted the divergence in market behavior between different sectors. On the one hand, institutional-grade assets like Bitcoin and ETFs, which have drawn significant capital, are viewed as the long-term foundation of the crypto market. On the other hand, the so-called “meme coins” and other speculative tokens continue to generate short-lived trends that, although volatile, do not define the market’s core.
According to industry experts such as Eric Turner, the current focus on speculative, short-term movements is distracting from the larger picture. Most institutional investors are carefully positioning themselves to catch the early stages of a genuine bull market. When the expected policy tailwinds materialize, these institutional investments could help drive the broader market into a sustained upward trend.
Sentiment Shifts and the Timing of the Bull Run
A key issue raised by panelists at the event was not whether a bull market would come but precisely when it would arrive. Eric Turner confidently predicted that the true bullish phase might materialize in the third to fourth quarter of this year. The consensus among many experts was that the current downturn is less of a terminal decline and more of a necessary consolidation phase—a period during which markets “reset” before launching into a significant bull run.
Investors are advised to be patient during these periods, avoiding the temptation to sell at the first sign of recovery. Instead, they should recognize that such volatility is a normal part of market cycles and may offer attractive entry points for long-term growth.
Additional Trends from the Wider Crypto Ecosystem
Global Perspectives: Europe and Beyond
While the LONGITUDE panel focused primarily on U.S. policies and market dynamics, similar trends are evident in Europe and other regions. Regulatory initiatives in the European Union aimed at standardizing digital asset regulations are under development, and many European investors see these measures as an opportunity to integrate blockchain into existing financial systems more robustly. Such global initiatives, when combined with domestic policies, could reinforce the bullish potential predicted by the panelists.
Technological and Market Innovation
Beyond regulatory and policy changes, ongoing technological innovations continue to reshape the crypto landscape. Developments in blockchain technology—particularly in decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and scalable network solutions—remain a significant driver of market optimism. When combined with the cautious yet positive outlook expressed by leading experts, these innovations suggest that the next wave of bullish growth could be even more transformative than previous cycles.
Investors and practitioners are encouraged to look beyond short-term price movements and focus on the technological and economic trends that underpin lasting change in the ecosystem.
Strategic Implications for Investors and Blockchain Practitioners
Navigating Market Cycles: Diversification and Risk Management
In this dynamic environment, robust risk management is more important than ever. The panelists stressed the importance of diversifying portfolios across multiple asset classes—including both established cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and promising altcoins—while also considering traditional financial assets. Employing stop-loss orders, leveraging hedging strategies, and routinely rebalancing portfolios are all crucial steps to mitigate risk and take advantage of entry points during market dips.
A balanced approach that combines careful technical analysis of market trends with a deep understanding of macroeconomic fundamentals will empower investors to navigate the volatility and seize opportunities when the bullish cycle truly begins.
Building Practical Blockchain Solutions
For blockchain practitioners, the insights from the panel offer both caution and hope. While current market conditions signal a period of consolidation and risk, they also provide the groundwork for substantial growth once the bull run emerges. Developers and entrepreneurs should invest in creating user-friendly, interoperable blockchain solutions that address real-world challenges—from decentralized finance platforms to scalable payment systems. Such practical applications not only drive economic value but also foster further adoption and mainstream acceptance of digital asset technology.
Collaboration between private entities, government bodies, and regulatory agencies is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping a robust, integrated ecosystem. As technological barriers fall and regulatory clarity improves, blockchain solutions that combine innovation with practical usability will be best positioned to capture long-term growth opportunities.
In conclusion, the consensus at the LONGITUDE panel was clear: while the current market downturn has left many investors fearing the end of a bullish era, true long-term momentum is still on the horizon. Historical precedents, such as the dramatic recovery following the COVID-19 market crash, suggest that severe temporary declines can lay the groundwork for explosive future gains. Experts like Michael van de Poppe and Eric Turner assert that the genuine bullish cycle has not yet started—indeed, they predict that the major upward movement may begin in the latter half of the year.
The regulatory environment is also evolving. Positive policy signals from the U.S. government, including potential crypto-friendly regulatory appointments and legislative reforms, could provide the necessary tailwind for sustained growth. However, challenges remain: heightened SEC oversight may restrict innovation, and aggressive trade policies are currently adding to market uncertainty. At the same time, the catastrophic $1.4 billion liquidation event has served as a stark reminder of the risks inherent in a highly leveraged, volatile market. Yet even in the midst of these challenges, strategic moves—such as the transformative partnership between Binance and Worldpay—offer a beacon of hope, suggesting that the integration of digital assets into everyday financial transactions is not only possible but imminent.
For investors and blockchain practitioners alike, the key will be to maintain a diversified portfolio, practice stringent risk management, and integrate both technical and fundamental analysis in order to navigate this period of transition. As the market evolves, so too will the opportunities. By staying informed and adaptable, stakeholders can position themselves to benefit from the long-term growth that is anticipated once the bullish cycle truly takes hold.
This comprehensive analysis not only provides insights from a landmark panel discussion but also serves as a strategic roadmap for those eager to explore new crypto assets, uncover additional revenue streams, and leverage blockchain technology in practical applications. Amid regulation, market turmoil, and groundbreaking innovation, the future of the cryptocurrency ecosystem remains promising for those prepared to meet its challenges with diligence and foresight.
