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Bitcoin up over 90% in a year while most altcoins show negative YTD returns.
ETF approvals boosted Bitcoin; Ethereum ETFs still awaiting launch.
Altcoins struggle as cautious investors stick with safer crypto bets.
Bitcoin is on a roll again, trading close to $110,000, just a few thousand short of its all-time high. While Bitcoin is pulling in big gains and investor attention, most other major cryptocurrencies, often called altcoins, are not doing nearly as well.
In the last six months, Bitcoin's price has gone up by more than 15 percent. One big reason is spotting Bitcoin ETFs. These let people and companies buy Bitcoin through the stock market. This made it simpler to invest in Bitcoin. In 2025, a lot of money went into these ETFs, which helped Bitcoin's price go up.
Bitcoin is seen as the safest cryptocurrency. In the United States, it is officially called a commodity. This makes investors feel more confident, especially when the market is not stable.
Right now, Bitcoin makes up around 65 percent of the whole crypto market. This is the highest level in more than two years.
Also Read:Top 5 Altcoins to Watch According to Experts This Week
Ethereum (ETH), the second-largest crypto, is trading at around $2,660. It has made small gains in July but still hasn’t broken out like Bitcoin. Ethereum spot ETFs have been approved in the U.S., but they haven’t launched yet. That delay has slowed down its momentum.
Solana (SOL) is priced around $153. Cardano (ADA) is near $0.62,Avalanche (AVAX) is close to $18.28, and Polygon (MATIC) is around $0.20. Most of these altcoins have barely moved in the past few weeks. Some are down compared to last month.
Altcoins usually perform well when investors are more willing to take risks. But right now, most traders are sticking with Bitcoin, which they see as the safer bet.
Several things are holding altcoins back:
• Most of the attention and money are going to Bitcoin.
• Many altcoins still face unclear legal rules. Investors are unsure how some governments will treat them.
• The global mood is cautious. With inflation, interest rate concerns, and political issues, people are playing it safe.
Also Read: Why Altcoin Traders Should Trade Smarter, Not Hold in 2025
There are early signs that altcoins could bounce back. The Altcoin Season Index, a tool that tracks whether altcoins are gaining on Bitcoin, has been climbing. Some traders are starting to shift money into other coins. Also, Ethereum and Solana ETFs are expected to launch soon. If that happens, interest in altcoins may grow again. But unless Bitcoin’s dominance drops, it will be hard for altcoins to fully take off.
Bitcoin is still ahead in the crypto market. Its significant price rise and strong investor support are keeping it ahead of other coins. Altcoins like Ethereum and Solana are growing slowly, but they are still behind. Until something big happens, like new ETF launches or changes in how people invest, Bitcoin will likely stay on top while other coins try to follow.
