In a recent crypto news update, analyst Dan Gambardello explained why 155 altcoin crypto ETF applications mean the crypto bull run remains on hold during an orchestrated accumulation phase.
Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas identified 155 crypto ETP filings tracking 35 different digital assets. In addition, the altcoin sector has not experienced the major gains seen in previous cycles.
155 Crypto ETF Applications Signal Institutional Land Rush
Balchunas stated there are currently 155 crypto ETP filings tracking 35 different digital assets with the number expected to reach over 200 in the next 12 months.
The filings represent a “total land rush” of institutional product development beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Applications related to Solana, Bitcoin, and XRP each exceed 20 filings while Ethereum and basket crypto ETF products surpass 10 applications.
Analyst Nate responded to the data, stating, “Highly bullish on index based and actively managed crypto etfs. No way trade fi investors ready to navigate all these single tokens.”
The 12-month timeline for crypto ETF launches coincides with expectations for regulatory clarity through pro-crypto legislation including the Clarity Act.
Gambardello emphasized investors should “really think about that” regarding the 12-month crypto ETF timeline when analyzing current market conditions.
The delayed altcoin bull run appears strategically timed to coincide with institutional infrastructure buildout.
Bitcoin Whales Accumulate $3B Through BlackRock ETF
Bitcoin whales shifted $3 billion into BlackRock’s IBIT ETF and shows sustained institutional accumulation during the consolidation phase.
Survey data shows investors now want to move at least 20% of their Bitcoin into ETFs with some even going all in.
Gambardello highlighted that “whales are buying the dip” with tons of Bitcoin accumulated after the October 10 crash.
The analyst called current conditions as “the great crypto redistribution” and described it as “the cycle of orchestrated shakeouts so that big money can buy more retails crypto for cheap.”
The analyst stated “they were never going to make it easy this cycle” explaining why many analysts have been saying “something big is coming” for extended periods.
Gambardello acknowledged “if it annoys you that I’m sitting here saying something big is coming… I understand I really do but I think it’s because this has been orchestrated.”
The redistribution phase includes retail panic selling during high fear environments while whales accumulate. Each dip sees “bitcoin whales on sustained accumulation spree.”
He also mentioned that retail is getting frustrated “because we’ve not seen this parabolic bull market we’ve spent years… waiting for.”
Crypto Market Holds Strong Despite Extended QT Period
Gambardello overlaid Federal Reserve balance sheet data onto Bitcoin charts and showed that the crypto market held strong through extended quantitative tightening.
The analyst noted, “during this qt that was extremely extended” Bitcoin showed “higher highs and higher lows” contradicting expectations for sustained suppression.
Gambardello stated factors that could cause quantitative easing like continued weakening of the economy, inflation if it does start continuing to fall surprising a lot of people or some type of financial shock.
The altcoin market cap chart shows similar strength during the multi-year QT period. Gambardello noted “even all coins on the all coin market cap chart have held quite strong” through liquidity restrictions.
Altcoin Bull Run Delayed by Orchestrated Redistribution
The altcoin sector has not delivered the “parabolic 10 20 50 x gains” typical of previous cycles causing retail frustration.
Gambardello stated,
“We’ve spent years accumulating and preparing and just waiting for a potential repeat of last cycle… just massive parabolic… gains. Guess what? It’s not happened.”
The analyst emphasized that we have a brand new cycle and that we have a brand new market and things are operating completely differently right now.
The changed conditions feature sustained accumulation periods and multiple false starts frustrating participants expecting traditional four-year patterns.
Ethereum trades at the 50-week moving average with “lower three thousands… in play” suggesting more downside potential.
Gambardello mentioned that the crypto market could enter “high fear environment in the short to low or short to midterm” before the eventual bull run.
He also noted even testing the 200-week moving average during tariff fear “wasn’t the bear market starting this cycle.”
Why the Crypto Bull Run Hasn’t Started Yet
Gambardello shared multiple factors explaining the delayed altcoin bull run.
First, “institutions have been accumulating retail has been getting frustrating or frustrated” creating asymmetric positioning.
Second, “massive pro crypto legislation getting ready to be passed” will allow “innovation and just trillions of dollars to come into the space.”
Third, the crypto ETF pipeline of 155+ applications represents institutional infrastructure not yet deployed.
The analyst stated the crypto market is in “accumulation phase and the redistribution phase and this cycle it’s not going to be easy.”
The difficult conditions are purposeful, and create a shakeout environment. That allowed buyers to accumulate before the eventual altcoin bull run begins.
The combination of ending QT, pro-crypto legislation, crypto ETF launches, and completed whale accumulation creates a setup for the upcoming bullish era for crypto.