The Rollup Is the Next Bitcoin Rally Being Funded by the AI Trade? | Michael Van Poppe
May 8, 2026
Michaël van de Poppe, manager of a Netherlands-based multi-strategy digital assets fund, explains his trading, token basket and OTC approach. He explores DeFi, stablecoins and AI convergence. He outlines decentralized compute projects and contrasts today’s opaque market with 2017. He discusses macro links, institutional flows and where AI IPO gains might rotate next.
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Most Tokens Have No Purpose So Allocate Sparingly
- Most tokens lack real purpose so allocate conservatively to fundamentals and treat token baskets with caution.
- Michaël highlights NEAR for revenue growth but warns 95–99% of tokens have no value and can still crash (eg AAVE risks).
OTC Deals Revealed Unlocks And Hammered Retail
- 2017 markets were simple retail vs retail with everyone sharing the same info.
- Michaël recounts 2025 OTC deals where insiders revealed large unlocks causing pre-positioning and retail getting hammered at sell events.
DeFi Stablecoins And AI Could Be The Next Unlock
- The next major unlock could come from DeFi plus stablecoin clarity and AI convergence rather than another L1.
- Michaël expects regulatory clarity (Clarity Act) and stablecoin growth to catalyze DeFi adoption and AI integration.