In brief
- Institutional giants now dominate market flows, potentially dampening the wild, rapid price swings that retail speculators crave.
- In the first quarter, Coinbase’s consumer volume dropped 35% sequentially, while activity on retail-favored networks like Base continues to shrink.
- Languid markets, underwater altcoin portfolios, and growing politicization have left some veteran hobbyists questioning crypto’s long-term future.
Crypto’s chaotic, meme-driven energy once made it a playground for digital adrenaline junkies. But as the market matures, everyday retail traders who braved the trenches are finding the asset class increasingly boring.
Cole, a 34-year-old crypto trader based in the U.S., told Decrypt that he’s seen an…
