Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure

The first quarter of 2025 was dominated by talks of the altcoin season, as is usually the case when the bull cycle is ending. In past cycles, capital tends to rotate from Bitcoin to other cryptocurrencies as investors look for maximum gain before the arrival of the bear market.

However, the story has been very different for the cryptocurrency market so far this year, with most large-cap assets failing to enjoy the same capital rotation seen in past cycles. The latest on-chain data shows that Bitcoin has continued to dominate the crypto market, outperforming all categories of altcoins.

Is It Time To Buy Altcoins?

In an April 5 post on the X platform, pseudonymous analyst Darkfost shared an interesting on-chain insight into the performance of all altcoin categories relative to the world’s largest cryptocurrency. According to the online pundit, the altcoins are underperforming compared to Bitcoin in terms of market capitalization growth.

In their post, Darkfost compared the market cap growth of Bitcoin, large-cap altcoins (the top 20 largest altcoins), and mid-to-small cap altcoins by calculating the difference between their 365-day and the 30-day moving average (MAs). According to the analyst, the variation between the 365-day MA and the 30-day MA serves as an indicator of growth momentum.

Typically, when the short-term moving average (30-day MA) rises faster than the long-term moving average (365-day MA), it implies rapid market cap growth. On the flip side, a reduced growth momentum is indicated by a lagging 30-day moving average.

Source: @Darkfost_Coc on X

As observed in the chart above, Bitcoin is outpacing the large-cap and mid-to-small-cap altcoins in terms of their market cap growth. Darkfost noted that this difference in the growth ratio has reached a level last seen in October 2023, a period correlated with a brief altcoin rally and subsequently BTC’s dominance.

The analyst further highlighted that when this growth ratio turns negative, it often signals that a strong correction has occurred. Historically, a negative ratio might present a potential buying opportunity for investors looking to get into the market.

Bitcoin And Ethereum Price Quick Look

As of this writing, the price of BTC stands at around $83,500, reflecting no significant movement in the past 24 hours. At the same time, the ETH token is valued at around $1,805, with no change in the past day.

While the premier cryptocurrency dropped by about 15% in the first quarter of 2025, Ethereum lost almost double its value in the same period. This gap in performance underscores how woeful the “king of altcoins” has been in the past few months.

The price of BTC on the daily timeframe | Source: BTCUSDT chart on TradingView

Featured image from iStock, chart from TradingView

Editorial Process for bitcoinist is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.

Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure

The price of Bitcoin has had an interesting performance so far in 2025, starting the year with a run to a new all-time high. However, the flagship cryptocurrency finished the year’s first quarter with over 15% of its value shaved off in those three months.

While the BTC price appears to be steadying within a consolidation range, the prognosis doesn’t look all positive for the world’s largest cryptocurrency. This explains why several short-term investors are getting frustrated and, as a result, exiting the market.

Is Bitcoin About To Go Up?

In a new post on the X platform, an on-chain analyst with the pseudonym Darkfost revealed that a certain class of Bitcoin holders have been selling their assets at a loss. According to the crypto pundit, the sell-offs are occurring at a rate not seen since the FTX collapse.

This on-chain observation is based on a significant drop in the Profit/Loss Margin, which tracks the profitability of investors by comparing their purchase price to the current price of a cryptocurrency. This metric offers insight into whether the market is in a state of unrealized profit or loss.

Specifically, Darkfost’s analysis focuses on Bitcoin investors who have been holding BTC for between one to three months (otherwise known as short-term holders). These traders are considered the most reactive class of holders, a trait highlighted by their recent activity.

Source: @Darkfost_Coc on X

According to Darkfost, BTC short-term holders have been offloading their coins at a loss since early February. These realized losses have now reached levels last seen in the FTX crash and are even higher than the losses recorded during the 2024 price pullback.

Historically, significant loss realization by the Bitcoin short-term holders has preceded substantial upward price movements, especially when long-term holders continue to accumulate. Hence, the persistence of this trend means that long-term investors will take the coins off the weak hands before the next bullish jump.

BTC Price At A Glance

As of this writing, the price of BTC stands at around $83,700, reflecting no significant change in the past 24 hours. According to data from CoinGecko, the market leader is up by 1% in the last seven days.

The price of Bitcoin is thickening around the $84,000 level on the daily timeframe | Source: BTCUSDT chart on TradingView

Featured image from iStock, chart from TradingView

Editorial Process for bitcoinist is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.

Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure

Since hitting a new all-time high in January, Bitcoin (BTC) has struggled to establish a bullish form resulting in a downtrend that has lasted over the last two months. According to prominent market analyst Egrag Crypto, the premier cryptocurrency could likely remain in correction for the next few months before launching a price rally.

Bitcoin’s 231-Day Cycle Hints At $175,000 Target By September

Following an initial price decline in February, Egrag Crypto had postulated Bitcoin could experience a price correction due to a CME gap before experiencing a price bounce. However, the lack of strong bullish convictions over the past weeks has forced a conclusion that the premier cryptocurrency is stuck in a potentially long corrective phase.

According to Egrag in a recent post, Bitcoin’s ongoing correction aligns with a fractal pattern i.e. a repeating price structure that has appeared across multiple timeframes. This pattern is based on a 33-bar (231-day) cycle during which BTC transits from a corrective phase to an explosive price rally.

In comparing previous cycles to the current developing one, Egrag has predicted Bitcoin could potentially break out of its recalibration by June. In this case, the analyst expects the crypto market leader to hit a market top of $175,000 by September, hinting at a potential 107.83% gain on current market prices.

However, in igniting this price rally, market bulls must ensure a breakout above the stiff price barrier at $100,000. On the other hand, any potential fall below the $69,500-$71,500 support price level could invalidate this current bullish setup and possibly signal the end of the current bull run.

BTC Investors Wait As Exchange Activity Slows Down

In other news, popular crypto expert Ali Martinez has reported a decline in Bitcoin exchange-related activity indicating reduced investors’ interest and network utilization. Notably, this development suggests that investors are hesitating to deposit or withdraw Bitcoin on exchanges perhaps due to market uncertainty on the asset’s immediate future trajectory.

According to Martinez, Bitcoin is now likely to undergo a trend shift as investors wait for the next market catalyst. Notably, Bitcoin has shown commendable resilience despite the new tariffs imposed by the US government on April 2. According to data from Santiment, BTC’s price dipped only 4% in the hours following the announcement—a milder reaction compared to previous tariff-related market moves.

Since then, BTC has made some price gains and currently trades at $83,805 as investors flock to the crypto market which has recorded a $5.16 billion inflow over the past day. Meanwhile, BTC’s trading volume is up by 26.52% and is valued at $43.48 billion.

Featured image from UF News, chart from Tradingview

Editorial Process for bitcoinist is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.