ALTCOINS KEEP DROPPING WHILE BITCOIN BREAKS ANOTHER RECORD OF MARKET DOMINANCE IN 2018

Last updated: June 24, 2025, 18:56 | Written by: Caitlin Long

Altcoins Keep Dropping While Bitcoin Breaks Another Record Of Market Dominance In 2018
Altcoins Keep Dropping While Bitcoin Breaks Another Record Of Market Dominance In 2018

The cryptocurrency market is a dynamic and often unpredictable beast.In 2025, the narrative has been dominated by Bitcoin's resurgence.While Bitcoin has been smashing records and solidifying its position as the king of crypto, many altcoins have been struggling to keep pace, facing significant drops and underperformance.This divergence raises critical questions: Why is Bitcoin surging while altcoins falter?Is this a temporary trend, or does it signal a fundamental shift in the market?The rise of Bitcoin dominance affects the whole crypto landscape and every investor within it.Understanding the factors driving this trend is crucial for navigating the current market conditions and making informed investment decisions.Are we about to witness an ""altseason"" that can turn things around or are we heading towards a bitcoin-dominated crypto sphere?In this article, we'll dissect the elements contributing to this phenomenon, analyze historical data, and explore potential future scenarios for both Bitcoin and the broader altcoin market.By understanding the dynamics between Bitcoin and altcoins, investors can better position themselves to thrive in this ever-evolving landscape.

Understanding Bitcoin Dominance and Its Impact

Key Point: overview for impact

Bitcoin dominance, often represented as BTC.D, is a metric that indicates the percentage of the total cryptocurrency market capitalization that is attributed to Bitcoin.A high Bitcoin dominance suggests that Bitcoin is outperforming altcoins, indicating strong investor confidence in Bitcoin as a store of value or safe haven.Conversely, a low Bitcoin dominance often signifies that altcoins are gaining traction and attracting more investment, potentially signaling the start of an ""altseason."" Bitcoin dominance can be used as a signal to anticipate possible altcoins’ season start.In the middle of 2025, we see that Bitcoin breaks a record of market dominance.

How is Bitcoin Dominance Calculated?

The calculation is relatively straightforward: it’s the market capitalization of Bitcoin divided by the total market capitalization of all cryptocurrencies, expressed as a percentage.For example, if Bitcoin's market cap is $1 trillion and the total crypto market cap is $2 trillion, Bitcoin dominance would be 50%.

Why Does Bitcoin Dominance Matter?

  • Market Sentiment: A rising dominance often indicates confidence in Bitcoin as a store of value or safe haven during market uncertainty.A drop might suggest increased speculative activity in the broader crypto space, with investors seeking higher returns in altcoins.
  • Investment Strategies: Understanding Bitcoin dominance can help investors allocate their portfolios effectively.A high dominance might favor a Bitcoin-heavy portfolio, while a declining dominance could suggest opportunities in altcoins.
  • Altcoin Performance: As highlighted in the snippets, altcoins tend to perform poorly when Bitcoin gains significantly.Therefore, monitoring Bitcoin dominance is essential for altcoin investors.

Factors Contributing to Bitcoin's 2025 Dominance

Several factors have converged to fuel Bitcoin's impressive rally and subsequent dominance in 2025.

Institutional Adoption

One of the primary drivers is the increasing institutional adoption of Bitcoin.Major institutions are increasingly recognizing Bitcoin as a legitimate asset class, allocating portions of their portfolios to BTC.This institutional interest provides a significant boost to Bitcoin's price and market capitalization, contributing to its dominance.

Bitcoin ETFs and Regulatory Clarity

The introduction of Bitcoin ETFs has further legitimized Bitcoin and made it more accessible to a wider range of investors.These ETFs provide a regulated and convenient way for institutional and retail investors to gain exposure to Bitcoin without directly holding the asset.Furthermore, increased regulatory clarity surrounding Bitcoin, while still evolving, has reduced uncertainty and encouraged more investment.

Bitcoin as a ""Safe Haven"" Asset

In times of economic uncertainty or geopolitical instability, Bitcoin is increasingly viewed as a ""safe haven"" asset, similar to gold.Investors flock to Bitcoin as a store of value, driving up its price and dominance.This perception has been reinforced by Bitcoin's limited supply and decentralized nature.

Short Squeezes and Liquidations

Bitcoin's price surges have often been amplified by short squeezes.When Bitcoin breaks through key resistance levels, traders who have bet against Bitcoin (short positions) are forced to cover their positions, driving the price even higher.This creates a feedback loop that further increases Bitcoin's dominance.

Why Are Altcoins Struggling?

While Bitcoin has been soaring, many altcoins have been struggling to keep up.Several factors contribute to this underperformance.

Lower Liquidity and Volatility

Altcoins generally have lower liquidity compared to Bitcoin, making them more susceptible to price swings and volatility.During periods of market uncertainty, investors often flock to Bitcoin for its relative stability, leaving altcoins behind.

Crypto assets faced another rough day as bitcoin (BTC) slipped below the $97,000 mark, dragging several altcoins deeper into the red.Crypto assets faced another rough day as bitcoin (BTC

Regulatory Pressure

Many altcoins face greater regulatory scrutiny than Bitcoin.Regulators are still grappling with how to classify and regulate altcoins, creating uncertainty and hindering their adoption.

Lack of Institutional Interest

While Bitcoin is attracting significant institutional interest, most altcoins have yet to achieve the same level of recognition.Institutional investors tend to favor Bitcoin due to its established track record and larger market capitalization.

The ""Bitcoin First"" Mentality

During bull markets, a ""Bitcoin first"" mentality often prevails.Investors prioritize Bitcoin, viewing it as the safest and most established cryptocurrency.Only after Bitcoin has reached a certain level of maturity do investors begin to explore altcoins.

Analyzing Historical Bitcoin Dominance and Altcoin Seasons

Historical data provides valuable insights into the relationship between Bitcoin dominance and altcoin performance.

Past Trends

Historically, Bitcoin has maintained a higher market dominance for most of the crypto market's existence.However, there have been periods, often referred to as ""altseasons,"" where altcoins have outperformed Bitcoin.These altseasons typically occur when Bitcoin dominance declines and investor interest in innovation and niche sectors increases.

The 2025 Bear Market Comparison

Looking back to the bear market of 2025, we see a sharp drop in Bitcoin dominance due to the rise of Ethereum and the ICO boom it enabled.Investors flocked to every ""next big thing,"" and Bitcoin dominance fell to an all-time low.It is important to consider that the conditions surrounding previous altseasons may not perfectly align with the current market dynamics.

Key Levels to Watch

Analysts often monitor specific Bitcoin dominance levels to gauge potential shifts in market sentiment.For example, if Bitcoin dominance breaks above 62.10%, BTC could extend its rally while altcoins struggle.Conversely, if dominance falls below 60.50%, the market could witness a surge in altcoin performance.CryptoQuant analysts believe altcoin season may be nearing but only if Bitcoin dominance drops.BTC dominance currently sits at 64%, and needs to fall below 54% for altcoins to rally.

Is an Altseason Imminent?

Key Point: example for imminent?

The question on every altcoin investor's mind is: Is an altseason on the horizon?While there are no guarantees, several factors suggest that an altseason could be possible, though not necessarily in 2025.

CryptoQuant analysts believe altcoin season may be nearing but only if Bitcoin dominance drops.BTC dominance currently sits at 64%, and needs to fall below 54% for altcoins to rally.So far, altcoins have struggled, hitting new lows with each Bitcoin pullback.

Factors Favoring an Altseason

  • Bitcoin Consolidation: Historically, altseasons have been triggered when Bitcoin's market dominance declines or when Bitcoin turns sideways.As this index moves lower, the Altcoins market will grow.When Bitcoin turns sideways, retraces
  • Increased Market Liquidity: Increased market liquidity, and growing institutional interest are conditions for an alt season
  • Rising Altcoin Performance: Altcoins are gaining traction beyond ETH Historically, altseasons have been triggered when Bitcoin's market dominance declines while investor interest in innovation and niche sectors increases.
  • Extreme Greed Sentiment: Extreme Greed sentiment on the Crypto Fear and Greed Index signals a potential Bitcoin price correction, opening doors for altcoin breakouts.

Factors Against an Altseason

  • Bitcoin's Continued Strength: As of now, Bitcoin maintains strong momentum.If Bitcoin dominance continues to rise, altcoins may continue to struggle.
  • Regulatory Uncertainty: Ongoing regulatory uncertainty surrounding altcoins could dampen investor enthusiasm.
  • Lower Liquidity: The lower liquidity of altcoins compared to Bitcoin can amplify price swings, making them riskier investments during volatile market conditions.

Strategies for Navigating the Current Market

Given the current market conditions, investors need to adopt a strategic approach.

A higher dominance percentage signals a Bitcoin-driven market, while a lower dominance percentage often indicates that altcoins are gaining more attention.Key Takeaways on Bitcoin Altcoin Dominance: Bitcoin has historically maintained higher market dominance, but altcoins have shown potential for market cycles of outperformance.

Diversification

Diversification remains a cornerstone of prudent investment.While Bitcoin may be the dominant force, allocating a portion of your portfolio to carefully selected altcoins can potentially enhance returns.However, diversification does not guarantee profits and carries the risk of loss.

Due Diligence

Thorough research is essential before investing in any altcoin.Understand the project's fundamentals, team, technology, and market potential.Look for altcoins with strong use cases, active communities, and experienced development teams.

Market Sentiment: A rising dominance suggests confidence in Bitcoin as a store of value or safe haven, while a drop may indicate increased speculative activity in the broader crypto space.

Risk Management

Implement robust risk management strategies, including setting stop-loss orders to limit potential losses.Given the volatility of the crypto market, it's crucial to protect your capital.

Dollar-Cost Averaging (DCA)

Consider using dollar-cost averaging (DCA) to gradually build your positions over time.DCA involves investing a fixed amount of money at regular intervals, regardless of the price.This can help mitigate the impact of market volatility.

Staying Informed

Stay up-to-date with the latest news and developments in the crypto market.Monitor Bitcoin dominance, regulatory changes, and altcoin project updates.Informed investors are better equipped to make sound decisions.

Examples of Altcoins Showing Potential

even potential example represents key aspects of this topic.

Even in a Bitcoin-dominated market, some altcoins are showing resilience and potential.It's important to note that these are just examples, and investors should conduct their own research before making any investment decisions.

  • Ethereum (ETH): Remains the leading smart contract platform and a key player in the DeFi and NFT spaces.
  • Solana (SOL): Known for its high transaction speeds and scalability, Solana is gaining traction in the DeFi and NFT ecosystems.
  • Chainlink (LINK): A decentralized oracle network that provides real-world data to smart contracts, essential for many DeFi applications.
  • Polkadot (DOT): A multi-chain platform that enables different blockchains to interoperate, offering a solution to blockchain fragmentation.

Common Questions About Bitcoin Dominance and Altcoins

What is considered a high Bitcoin dominance?

Generally, a Bitcoin dominance above 60% is considered high, indicating that Bitcoin is outperforming altcoins.

What is considered a low Bitcoin dominance?

A Bitcoin dominance below 50% is often considered low, suggesting that altcoins are gaining market share.

Can Bitcoin dominance stay high indefinitely?

While Bitcoin dominance has historically been high, it's unlikely to remain so indefinitely.Market dynamics are constantly evolving, and new trends and technologies can shift investor preferences.

Is it always bad when Bitcoin dominance is high?

Not necessarily.A high Bitcoin dominance can indicate a flight to safety during market uncertainty, with investors seeking the relative stability of Bitcoin.

How can I track Bitcoin dominance?

Bitcoin dominance can be tracked on various cryptocurrency data platforms, such as CoinMarketCap, CoinGecko, and TradingView.

Conclusion

The cryptocurrency market in 2025 presents a complex landscape with Bitcoin breaking records while altcoins struggle.Understanding Bitcoin dominance, its drivers, and its impact on altcoins is crucial for investors navigating this dynamic environment.While Bitcoin's dominance may present challenges for altcoin investors, it also creates opportunities for strategic portfolio allocation and informed decision-making.As conditions shift, staying informed and adapting strategies are key to navigating the volatile crypto market.As highlighted by analysts, changes in Bitcoin dominance will soon boost the altcoin markets.By embracing diversification, conducting thorough research, and implementing robust risk management practices, investors can position themselves to thrive regardless of whether it is Bitcoin season or Altseason.Remember to keep a close eye on Bitcoin dominance levels, regulatory developments, and emerging trends to make informed decisions and capitalize on potential opportunities in the ever-evolving crypto landscape.The critical level to watch remains the 60% mark for Bitcoin dominance.A break below could signal the start of an altcoin rally, while holding above it could mean continued Bitcoin dominance.

Caitlin Long can be reached at [email protected].

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