Altcoins remain under significant pressure from Bitcoin dominance, with the Altcoin Season Index firmly in Bitcoin territory and over 60% of altcoins down year-over-year. However, historical patterns suggest a potential rotation in November, as low sentiment often signals local bottoms for altcoins, paving the way for renewed interest.
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Bitcoin dominance at 60.6% indicates capital favoring BTC, sidelining most altcoins.
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More altcoins have declined 60% or more in the past year compared to those showing gains, per Arkham Intelligence data.
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Market sentiment is at its lowest since April, a zone that has preceded altcoin recoveries in over 90% of cases, according to historical analysis.
Discover why altcoins are under pressure from Bitcoin in 2025 and signs of a November turnaround. Explore key data and expert insights to stay ahead in crypto investing today.
What is causing altcoins to face pressure from Bitcoin dominance?
Altcoins under pressure from Bitcoin stems primarily from Bitcoin’s sustained dominance in the market, currently hovering around 60.6%, which directs investor capital overwhelmingly toward BTC. Over the past 60 days, the Altcoin Season Index has remained entrenched in “Bitcoin Season,” signaling limited rotation to alternative cryptocurrencies. This trend has led to widespread declines among altcoins, with many experiencing drops of 60% or more year-over-year, as highlighted by data from Arkham Intelligence.
How does current market sentiment affect altcoin performance?
Current market sentiment for altcoins is notably bearish, placing them under intense pressure from Bitcoin’s stronghold. The sentiment gauge is in its lowest “orange/red” zone since April, a critical indicator that has historically marked local bottoms for altcoins in more than 90% of instances. Short sentences reveal the pattern: extreme negativity often precedes rebounds. Expert analysis from sources like Alphractal points to this washed-out sentiment as a contrarian signal, where fear gives way to opportunity. Supporting statistics show that when Bitcoin dominance peaks like this, liquidity typically begins to shift, benefiting underperforming altcoins. Quotes from market observers emphasize that “these moments of despair for alts are where smart money enters,” underscoring the potential for a sentiment-driven reversal.
Source: Alphractal
Arkham Intelligence data further illustrates this pressure, revealing that a majority of altcoins are down substantially compared to those posting gains. This imbalance highlights how Bitcoin’s allure—bolstered by institutional adoption and ETF inflows—continues to overshadow smaller projects. Yet, historical precedents, including past cycles where dominance eased in November, suggest these conditions could soon foster altcoin recovery. The professional financial perspective views this as a classic market rotation phase, where overextended BTC leads to diversification into alts.
Source: Arkham Intelligence
Frequently Asked Questions
Are altcoins still under pressure from Bitcoin in late 2025?
Yes, altcoins continue to face pressure from Bitcoin, with dominance at 60.6% and the Altcoin Season Index in Bitcoin territory. Data from Arkham Intelligence shows more altcoins down 60% year-over-year than those gaining, but this extreme could signal an impending shift as capital rotates.
Will November 2025 bring relief for altcoins against Bitcoin dominance?
November has historically been a month when Bitcoin dominance loosens, often sparking altcoin rotations from low sentiment zones. With current indicators matching past bottoms over 90% of the time, it’s likely that improved liquidity will ease pressure on altcoins, according to pattern analysis from TradingView.
Key Takeaways
- Bitcoin’s 60.6% dominance: This level underscores altcoins’ current sidelining, but peaks like this have preceded rotations in prior cycles.
- Over 60% of altcoins down YoY: Arkham data highlights the extent of declines, yet such disparities often mark turning points for market recovery.
- Low sentiment signals bottoms: At its April-low equivalent, this zone has led to altcoin rebounds 90% of the time—monitor for early privacy-layer momentum.
Source: TradingView
Source: Alphractal
Privacy-focused projects are showing early strength amid the broader altcoin slump. Starknet leads in 30-day development activity, with zkSync and Worldcoin close behind, per Santiment metrics. Other builders like Nym, Shapeshift, Oasis Protocol, and ZCash persist despite price pressures, indicating foundational progress that could attract inflows first.
Source: Santiment
Conclusion
Altcoins under pressure from Bitcoin dominance in 2025 reflect a market favoring BTC, with sentiment at multi-month lows and development gains concentrated in privacy sectors. As historical data from sources like TradingView and Santiment indicate, November often initiates rotations that alleviate this strain. Investors should watch for liquidity shifts, positioning strategically for potential altcoin resurgence in the coming months.
