Bitcoin Dominance Falls Below 60%, Altcoin Season Looms
Bitcoin's dominance over the cryptocurrency market fell below 60% for the first time in nearly two years, despite a 3.3% price gain during the week ending September 26.
The seven largest altcoins outperformed Bitcoin, with Litecoin leading the pack at 23.7%, followed by Cardano at 12.7%, Dogecoin at 12.0%, Chainlink at 11.9%, Stellar at 11.2%, XRP at 10.4%, and Solana at 9.3%.
Historically, Bitcoin's dominance has fallen below 60% three times, with each crossing resulting in different outcomes: a massive altcoin rally followed by a market collapse in 2017, an altcoin surge that eventually crashed in May 2021, and a brief but swift rebound to above 60% in September 2025.
This time around, however, the influx of $2.4 billion into Bitcoin funds during the same week its dominance decreased sets it apart from previous crossings, suggesting active investment rather than capital fleeing Bitcoin.
While it's too early to declare an altcoin season, the current situation bears some similarities to the September 2025 crossing, where a mix of broad-based gains in altcoins and significant capital inflows into Bitcoin ETFs hinted at a potential shift towards higher-risk investments.