Latest Trends in Bitcoin Dominance: Market Trends and Investment Opportunities

2025-05-06, 08:44

With the rapid development of the cryptocurrency market, Bitcoin dominance has become the focus of investors and analysts. This indicator reflects the proportion of Bitcoin market value to the total market value of the cryptocurrency market, and is an important reference for judging market capital flow and trends. This article will combine the latest news from May 2025 to explore the current status of BTC dominance, influencing factors, and insights for investors, helping you grasp the market pulse.

What is Bitcoin dominance?

Bitcoin dominance refers to the ratio of Bitcoin’s market value to the total market value of all cryptocurrencies, usually expressed as a percentage. For example, if the BTC dominance is 65%, it means that Bitcoin accounts for 65% of the entire crypto market. This indicator not only reflects Bitcoin’s market position, but also reveals the flow of funds between Bitcoin and altcoins.

  • High BTC dominance: typically indicates that investors are more inclined to hold Bitcoin, viewing it as a relatively stable safe-haven asset, especially during market volatility or macroeconomic uncertainty.
  • Low BTC dominance: often indicates funds flowing into altcoins, entering the ‘Altcoin Season,’ where investors chase high-risk high-return opportunities.

May 2025: The latest dynamics of BTC dominance

According to recent news, as of early May 2025, the Bitcoin dominance rate has climbed to 65%, reaching its highest level since early 2021. This data reflects Bitcoin’s strong position in the current market, but analysts warn that the dominance rate may be approaching a key resistance level, and the market may be at a turning point. Here are the important dynamics related to the recent BTC dominance rate:

Bitcoin dominance approaches 70%: crash or turning point?

According to reports from Cointelegraph and TipRanks, analyst Rekt Capital pointed out that Bitcoin’s dominance is in the “final countdown” stage, approaching the historical high of 70%. Historically, when the dominance reaches this level, it is often accompanied by the rise of altcoins. For example, the ETH/BTC trading pair recently touched the lowest level since 2019, indicating the lackluster performance of major altcoins such as Ethereum, but this may also lay the groundwork for a rebound in altcoins.

Rekt Capital warns that if the dominance rate breaks through 71% or is blocked and falls back, it may trigger a market capital reallocation, and altcoins may see a wave of market trends. Investors need to closely monitor this key level.

2. The impact of macroeconomics and the Federal Reserve policy

In May 2025, the market is focusing on the interest rate decision of the Federal Reserve (Fed) in the United States. Cointelegraph pointed out that the decision of Fed Chairman Powell may trigger market volatility, while Bitcoin, due to its anti-inflation properties and widespread adoption of ETFs, has attracted more institutional funds inflow, driving up its dominance rate.

However, if the macroeconomic environment improves (such as the expectation of interest rate cuts), risk appetite may rebound, and funds may flow from Bitcoin to altcoins, leading dominance rates may fall. Decrypt analysis suggests that altcoins often outperform Bitcoin when risk appetite rises, especially some projects with innovative technologies and application scenarios.

3. The driving force of institutional funds and Bitcoin ETF

In the first quarter of 2025, the holdings of Bitcoin by publicly listed companies surged by 16.1% to a total of approximately 688,000 BTC, worth around 57 billion US dollars. Additionally, the launch of the US strategic Bitcoin reserve further enhances the legitimacy and market attractiveness of Bitcoin. These factors collectively push up the dominance of BTC, squeezing the market share of altcoins.

Net inflows into the Bitcoin ETF exceeded $1 billion, while the Ethereum ETF saw a net outflow of $228 million, highlighting investors’ preference for BTC.

4. The hope of the Shanzhai Coin season?

Despite the continuous rise in BTC dominance, some analysts are optimistic about the future of altcoins. TradingView pointed out that the dominance rate is approaching the long-term resistance trend line. Historically, there has been a significant decline every time it touches this line, possibly falling to 40% or even 34.9%. If this pattern repeats, Ethereum, XRP, and other altcoins may see significant gains.

Factors affecting the dominance rate of BTC

The fluctuation of BTC dominance is driven by multiple factors, and investors need to consider comprehensively:

  1. Market sentiment and risk appetite: In times of high uncertainty, investors tend to hold Bitcoin, driving up dominance rate; when risk appetite rebounds, funds flow to altcoins.

  2. Macroeconomic environment: The monetary policy of the Federal Reserve, global trade tensions (such as the US-China trade war), and inflation expectations will all affect the capital flows in the cryptocurrency market.

  3. Technical Analysis and On-chain Data: On-chain indicators for Bitcoin (such as holding cost and active addresses) show bullish sentiment, while the low liquidity of altcoins makes them more susceptible to market fluctuations.

  4. Institutional adoption: Corporations (such as Metaplanet) and government accumulation of Bitcoin, as well as the popularization of ETFs, have solidified Bitcoin’s market position.

  5. Altcoins performance: The slump of major altcoins such as Ethereum (e.g. ETH/BTC dropping to 0.01765) further magnifies the dominance of BTC.

Conclusion

In May 2025, Bitcoin’s dominance reached 65%, hitting a four-year high, reflecting investors’ strong confidence in BTC. However, the dominance rate is approaching the historical resistance level of 71%, and the market may be on the verge of a turning point, with hopes for altcoin season brewing. Investors should closely monitor the Fed’s policies, technical resistance levels, and on-chain data to seize the opportunity of capital flow between Bitcoin and altcoins.

By understanding the dynamics of BTC dominance, you can better formulate investment strategies and take the initiative in the fluctuations of the crypto market. Keep an eye on the latest market trends, stay flexible, and be ready for the next wave in the cryptocurrency market!

Disclaimer: This article is for information reference only and does not constitute investment advice. The cryptocurrency market is volatile, please assess the risks thoroughly before investing.


Author: Rooick Z., Gate.io Researcher
This article represents only the author's point of view and does not constitute any trading advice. Investment carries risks, decisions need to be cautious.
This content is original, and the copyright belongs to Gate.io. Please indicate the author and source if you need to reprint, otherwise legal responsibilities will be pursued.


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