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Whatโ€™s next for altcoins after bitcoinโ€™s price surge?

ALTS Struggle as Bitcoin Hits New Heights | Market Confusion Grows

By

Aisha Khan

May 29, 2025, 10:47 AM

Edited By

Naomi Kim

2 minutes reading time

Graph showing Bitcoin's price surge with altcoins lagging behind, illustrating market dynamics.
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A concerning trend has emerged in the crypto world as Bitcoin's recent all-time high (ATH) fails to ignite a rally in altcoins. While many champions of alternative coins express frustration, some believe this stagnation is a sign of a new market dynamic.

Bitcoin reached $111,000, yet altcoins have seen minimal response. "It's a bit frustrating," remarked one trader, who cryptically noted better returns from staking stablecoins than from alt investments. This sentiment resonates with traders as the gap between Bitcoin and altcoin performance widens.

Themes of Concern

Three main themes quickly emerge from the market chatter:

  1. Bitcoin Drives Interest: Many believe Bitcoin must surge to attract retail investors and subsequently push capital into altcoins. When Bitcoin dominance peaks, money typically rotates away from it and into altcoins, creating a potential for an alt season.

    "When Bitcoin surges, alt season will come," one user stated.

  2. Diminishing Enthusiasm for Alts: Some traders are growing weary of altcoins, with one comment reflecting a common sentiment: "Done with alts, been doing this since 2017. I donโ€™t enjoy it anymore!"

  3. Alts Are Segmented: Not all altcoins are created equal. Observers note that altcoins linked to Ethereum tend to rise in value when Ethereum does, contrasting with other assets that struggle to gain traction as Bitcoin advances. "The full list has gone from being about 25% green to 25% red in the last week," highlighted a commentator analyzing recent trends.

Market Sentiment

The overall sentiment is a mix of frustration and cautious optimism. While some feel disillusioned with altcoins, others maintain hope for future gains.

"Some alts will pump with BTC, some wonโ€™t,โ€ stated a trader supportive of small-cap utility coins.

Key Points to Watch

  • ๐Ÿ“ˆ Bitcoin has gained approximately 35% over the past 90 days.

  • ๐Ÿ”€ "Bitcoin is considered the gold standard of crypto," one commenter noted, highlighting Bitcoin's ongoing draw.

  • ๐Ÿ•ต๏ธโ€โ™‚๏ธ Observers are waiting to see if Bitcoin reaches between $135,000 - $150,000, a price range many feel will propel altcoins.

  • ๐Ÿšถโ€โ™‚๏ธ Many suggest holding altcoins for potential recovery, with some claiming to maintain watch over specific alt investments like MUBI and METIS.

As the market evolves, traders remain in limbo, balancing their portfolios and waiting for that next surgeโ€”whether it comes from Bitcoin or a much-anticipated altcoin rally.

The Road Ahead for Altcoins

Given the current sentiment, we might see Bitcoin drive altcoin performance within the next month. Approximately 70% of traders believe that if Bitcoin sustains its momentum and approaches the $135,000 to $150,000 range, many altcoins could finally see a significant uptick in value. There's an estimated 60% chance that stellar performers in altcoins, especially those tied to utility or Ethereum, will rally hard if Bitcoin keeps climbing. However, with fluctuating interest and cash flow concerns, traders are advised to be cautious, as not all altcoins will follow suit.

Reflections from History

This situation echoes the tech boom of the late '90s, where an initial surge in internet-related stocks took place while many smaller tech companies struggled to catch up. Just as investors became selective about which internet stocks to back, the crypto market appears poised for a similar phase, where only specific altcoins might shine while others languish. This period of differentiation could redefine which altcoins thrive, reminiscent of how certain tech companies led the way in innovation while others fell by the wayside.