Bitcoin’s market dominance has recently surged past the 60% mark — a milestone not seen since 2021. But this time, the implications are far more meaningful. The crypto landscape has changed dramatically since then, making Bitcoin’s current dominance a much stronger signal of market strength and investor confidence.
Then vs. Now: A Bigger Playing Field
In 2021, there were roughly 3,000 to 4,000 active cryptocurrency projects. Fast forward to 2025, and that number has exploded into the millions. Despite this massive growth in the number of altcoins, Bitcoin has managed to maintain — and now reclaim — a 60% market share. This means it now controls a much larger slice of a significantly bigger pie, reinforcing its position as the most dominant and resilient digital asset.
Bitcoin’s Price Action Underscores Its Strength
Recent price movements further highlight Bitcoin’s resilience. After dipping to a five-month low above $74,000, Bitcoin bounced back, climbing past $85,000 following positive U.S. CPI data and a de-escalation of global trade tensions. Even after facing rejection at the $86,000 level, Bitcoin’s overall upward trend remains intact — and its dominance amplifies the impact of these gains.
Altcoin Weakness Highlights the Shift
Compared to 2021, altcoins are struggling to keep pace. Ethereum, once a strong competitor, has seen its ETH/BTC ratio drop to 0.019 — the lowest level since early 2020. Altcoins across the board have failed to reclaim lost market share, further solidifying Bitcoin’s leadership.
Experts See Even Higher Dominance Ahead
Arthur Hayes, co-founder of BitMEX, has predicted that Bitcoin dominance could rise to 70%. His outlook is backed by increased whale accumulation and Bitcoin’s growing status as a hedge against inflation — especially with the potential for U.S. interest rate cuts and renewed monetary easing.
Is Altseason Still Coming?
Crypto analyst Rekt Capital believes the next “altseason” may only kick off once Bitcoin dominance approaches and rejects the 71% level. Historically, altcoins tend to rally only after Bitcoin peaks in market share and starts to retreat. Until then, Bitcoin’s growing dominance could continue to overshadow the altcoin market.
Bottom Line:
The reason Bitcoin dominance surging to 60% is more significant than in 2021 lies in the sheer scale of today’s crypto market and the declining strength of altcoins. In a massively expanded ecosystem, Bitcoin’s continued dominance speaks volumes — not just about its performance, but about investor sentiment and the maturing state of digital assets in 2025.
