The primary quarter of 2025 was dominated by talks of the altcoin season, as is normally the case when the bull cycle is ending. In previous cycles, capital tends to rotate from Bitcoin to different cryptocurrencies as traders search for most achieve earlier than the arrival of the bear market.
Nonetheless, the story has been very completely different for the cryptocurrency market thus far this yr, with most large-cap belongings failing to take pleasure in the identical capital rotation seen in previous cycles. The newest on-chain information reveals that Bitcoin has continued to dominate the crypto market, outperforming all classes of altcoins.
Is It Time To Purchase Altcoins?
In an April 5 publish on the X platform, pseudonymous analyst Darkfost shared an fascinating on-chain perception into the efficiency of all altcoin classes relative to the world’s largest cryptocurrency. In response to the web pundit, the altcoins are underperforming in comparison with Bitcoin when it comes to market capitalization development.
Of their publish, Darkfost in contrast the market cap development of Bitcoin, large-cap altcoins (the highest 20 largest altcoins), and mid-to-small cap altcoins by calculating the distinction between their 365-day and the 30-day shifting common (MAs). In response to the analyst, the variation between the 365-day MA and the 30-day MA serves as an indicator of development momentum.
Usually, when the short-term shifting common (30-day MA) rises sooner than the long-term shifting common (365-day MA), it implies speedy market cap development. On the flip aspect, a lowered development momentum is indicated by a lagging 30-day shifting common.
Supply: @Darkfost_Coc on X
As noticed within the chart above, Bitcoin is outpacing the large-cap and mid-to-small-cap altcoins when it comes to their market cap development. Darkfost famous that this distinction within the development ratio has reached a stage final seen in October 2023, a interval correlated with a short altcoin rally and subsequently BTC’s dominance.
The analyst additional highlighted that when this development ratio turns unfavorable, it typically alerts {that a} robust correction has occurred. Traditionally, a unfavorable ratio would possibly current a possible shopping for alternative for traders seeking to get into the market.
Bitcoin And Ethereum Value Fast Look
As of this writing, the value of BTC stands at round $83,500, reflecting no vital motion previously 24 hours. On the identical time, the ETH token is valued at round $1,805, with no change previously day.
Whereas the premier cryptocurrency dropped by about 15% within the first quarter of 2025, Ethereum misplaced virtually double its worth in the identical interval. This hole in efficiency underscores how woeful the “king of altcoins” has been previously few months.
The value of BTC on the every day timeframe | Supply: BTCUSDT chart on TradingView
Featured picture from iStock, chart from TradingView

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