MemCast
MemCast / episode / insight
Retail only jumps in when an asset dramatically outperforms, and Bitcoin’s modest gains left them on the sidelines
  • Retail investors look for assets that clearly beat every other class; Bitcoin’s price action was “okay” relative to AI‑related equities.
  • When GPU and AI stocks surged, Bitcoin’s performance seemed tame, reducing its allure.
  • Lyn Alden observes that the lack of a spectacular price breakout meant retail never felt the FOMO pull.
  • This dynamic explains why the 2023‑24 rally lacked the mass‑buying wave seen in earlier cycles.
  • Future retail inflows will likely require a clear, differentiated performance narrative.
Lyn AldenNatalie Brunell00:01:39

Supporting quotes

people say, "Well, I have to learn more about that. What's going on there?" Lyn Alden
there wasn't really anything happening there. Lyn Alden

From this concept

Retail Adoption Gap

Retail investors have historically driven Bitcoin's biggest rallies, but this cycle saw almost no retail participation. The lack of a compelling narrative, a missing alt-season and the perception that Bitcoin was merely "okay" compared with soaring AI-related stocks kept everyday investors on the sidelines.

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