By Key Points
- Bitcoin Dominance rises from 63.8% to 64.7% amid market downturn
- Total crypto market cap drops 6%, now at $3.2 trillion
- Altcoins see deeper losses compared to Bitcoin
- Analysts predict altcoin season may not arrive until late 2025
Bitcoin Dominance (BTC.D) is rising fast while the overall crypto market struggles. This week, the total market cap fell by 6%, but Bitcoin’s share of that market actually grew.
Many traders are now wondering: Is altcoin season officially delayed?
Bitcoin Dominance surges while altcoins stumble
Geopolitical tensions have shaken global markets. The Israel-Iran conflict triggered a $1 billion liquidation wave, sending both stocks and crypto downward.
Crypto’s total market cap shrank from $3.4 trillion to $3.2 trillion in just 24 hours. Bitcoin’s price dropped about 3.1%, but altcoins took even harder hits.
This has pushed Bitcoin Dominance from 63.8% to 64.7%. BTC.D measures Bitcoin’s market value as a percentage of the entire crypto market. When BTC.D rises, it usually means investors are moving out of altcoins and into Bitcoin — often a sign of fear or caution.
Crypto Market Cap vs. Bitcoin Dominance. Source: TradingView
Right now, that’s exactly what’s happening. The market downturn has made Bitcoin the go-to “safe” crypto while altcoins bleed.
According to a prominent crypto analyst on X (formerly Twitter), BTC.D has reversed its previous downtrend:
$BTC dominance has reversed to the upside, with key resistance between 64.31% and 64.63%. A sustained break above this zone would suggest that wave-(2) is still unfolding upward, potentially delaying the start of altseason. pic.twitter.com/m9od5HtcJa
— Man of Bitcoin (@Manofbitcoin) June 12, 2025
If this pattern holds, the start of the next altcoin season could be delayed even further.
For traders looking to navigate this volatile landscape, it’s worth staying updated on broader regulatory developments, such as the potential impact of the SEC crypto rules reversal currently under discussion.
Altcoin season now looks months away
Analysts have long viewed a decline in Bitcoin Dominance as a signal that altcoin season is near. But today’s market data shows BTC.D is climbing instead — bad news for those holding altcoins.
Benjamin Cowen, CEO of Into The Cryptoverse, is closely watching the ALT/BTC ratio. It’s dropped from 0.34 in early May to 0.32 today, and Cowen predicts it could fall as low as 0.25.
ALT/BTC Ratio. Source: X/Benjamin Cowen – Techtoken
He commented on X:
I used to be bullish on Bitcoin dominance.
I still am, but I used to be too.
— Benjamin Cowen (@intocryptoverse) June 13, 2025
Cowen also told Binance that Bitcoin remains a “safe haven” asset, especially during periods of inflation and economic uncertainty.
“Bitcoin will survive whatever happens, whatever is coming our way… but you can’t always say the same about every single altcoin,” he warned.
Historically, most altcoins enjoy only brief moments of outperformance. Very few maintain top-tier status for more than one market cycle. This makes current trends concerning for long-term altcoin investors, especially those using dollar-cost averaging (DCA) strategies.
Without a strong altcoin season, many could remain underwater on their investments.
Meanwhile, Bitcoin itself continues to show surprising resilience. However, traders should remain cautious of short-term volatility, as seen in the recent Bitcoin price glitch that spooked markets.
Cowen and other analysts now believe an altcoin season — if it happens — may not begin until late 2025, possibly November.
On-chain activity also shows shifting market dynamics. For instance, there’s been a spike in hourly Bitcoin bets, a sign that traders are leaning towards Bitcoin during uncertain times.
It’s not just Bitcoin and altcoins feeling the pressure. Ethereum’s ongoing Geth conflict is another factor contributing to reduced confidence in altcoins.
With so many risks in the current market, it’s crucial for investors to avoid mistakes that could lead to situations like those featured in this eye-opening report on crypto trading gone wrong.
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