Bitcoin's market dominance has risen above 60%, reaching its highest point in months, according to Cointelegraph. This rise coincides with continuous losses for altcoins, including Ethereum (ETH), XRP, and Solana (SOL), which have all seen significant drops. Bitcoin currently holds close to 62% of the whole cryptocurrency market, its highest since February 2021.
The crypto market saw a huge liquidation event in the last 24 hours, with liquidations totaling around $2bn. Although Bitcoin [BTC] experienced liquidations of $117.74mn, the altcoin market has been struck far more severely.
Even though the dominance of the coin has increased, it is still in the two month low range at around $92,000.
Reason for Surge
Institutional demand for Bitcoin has increased significantly after big financial firms like BlackRock, Fidelity, and Grayscale introduced Bitcoin ETFs (exchange-traded funds). These conventional financial institutions like Bitcoin above other cryptocurrencies because they see it as a reliable store of wealth.
Due to price corrections, several cryptocurrencies have had difficulty holding onto their value, which has caused investors to turn back to Bitcoin. Due to notable declines in cryptocurrencies like Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), and XRP, traders have consolidated their holdings in the more reliable Bitcoin (BTC).
Compared to more risky altcoins, Bitcoin is increasingly seen as a safer long-term asset during periods of global economic upheaval. Economic instability has increased due to factors like trade tariffs and interest rate worries, which has made Bitcoin a more alluring stable investment.
Possibility of Altcoin Recovery
Bitcoin must stabilise before altcoins can bounce back. After a significant surge, BTC typically consolidates, causing liquidity to shift into altcoins, resulting in what traders refer to as an "altcoin season."
Some market observers believe that an altcoin comeback is around the corner. For instance, crypto analyst Ted Pillows has highlighted patterns in the altcoin market that resemble previous bullish cycles, suggesting a potential upcoming altcoin season.
The second-largest cryptocurrency, Ethereum (ETH), usually takes the lead in altcoin recovery. An important sign that money is shifting back into altcoins is typically a rising ETH/BTC pair. However, Dogecoin can lead the recovery this time as it is the only cryptocurrency showing a positive trail during the Bitcoin rally.
The introduction of a Dogecoin-focused fund by Grayscale Investments suggests that institutional interest in altcoins is increasing, which may improve their chances of recovery.
Retail and speculative interest is another important component of cryptocurrency revival. Smaller-cap altcoins typically see rapid development during times of substantial retail activity as traders look for greater rewards.
Bitcoin's halving cycles and macroeconomic trends are important factors. A fresh bull market might be sparked by the next Bitcoin halving in 2025, which might cause a shift in power as investors start investing in other cryptocurrencies.
What are Altcoins?
All cryptocurrencies other than Bitcoin are referred to as altcoins. These digital assets were developed to advance Bitcoin's technology or fulfill other objectives. Some cryptocurrencies offer unique capabilities like smart contracts, improved anonymity, or quicker transactions, while others work similarly to Bitcoin as a digital currency. Every cryptocurrency has a different consensus method, such as Proof-of-Stake (PoS), which uses less energy than Bitcoin's PoW, and runs on either its own blockchain or an existing one.
Every one of the thousands of cryptocurrencies has its own distinct features. For instance, Ethereum (ETH) made it possible to create decentralised applications (DApps) on its network by introducing smart contracts.
A "lighter" version of Bitcoin that offers faster transaction speeds is called Litecoin (LTC). The focus on effective cross-border payments makes Ripple (XRP) a favorite among financial institutions. Cardano (ADA) is renowned for using PoS to increase security and scalability and for taking a research-driven approach. Due to its robust community and inexpensive transaction costs, Dogecoin (DOGE), which began as a meme, has also become well-known.