Will Altcoins Replace Bitcoin in 2025?
Bitcoin is the first cryptocurrency to arrive on the market, and since its launch, it has been followed by legions of altcoins based on systems similar to those of BTC. While they often brought more updates and functionality, BTC has remained the uncontested king of crypto, even earning the nickname “digital gold” for its ability to act as a solid store of value over long periods of time. This has led to some investors trusting the network and coin so much they even Bitcoin with debit card. In fact, several analysts have expressed the belief that BTC has managed to surpass gold itself and is now the better option between the two. However, a question still remains: will any of the altcoins be able to overtake Bitcoin anytime soon?
Opinions on the topic vary, and while some believe it is only a matter of time until this happens, others are convinced that no matter how poorly BTC might be doing, it will always come out on top by the end.
Market Share
At the end of April 2024, Bitcoin’s market share was showing clear signs of a dip, a movement that many analysts associated with the asset gaining and then subsequently losing a peak value. As a result, many have begun discussing the most obvious alternative, the altcoins, designating it as preferable to Bitcoin and more reliable. The reason for this is because, in this scenario that addresses the peak of Bitcoin, altcoins will start waking up in pairs, a movement that means that rotation can start.
If the dominance Bitcoin has on the market were indeed to drop, it would send a clear signal to all market participants that an upswing for the altcoins is nothing but a matter of time. It would also be a complete switch from the traditional mentality present in the crypto world, which dictates that BTC is the more reliable and trustworthy asset. Altcoins, on the other hand, have always been associated with higher volatility levels, which is why those who were just joining the crypto trading market tended to avoid them and gravitated towards Bitcoin instead.
The Opposite View
However, not all market users believe it is fair to say that bitcoin is losing its edge for investors. According to this view, corrections are frequent in the crypto environment and are pretty much a given in the aftermath of a period of sustained growth. This isn’t anything new and not an indication that Bitcoin is performing poorly and will lose its standing in the digital currency world. Moreover, while its dominance experienced a decrease in a short timeframe, it is showing very robust performance over the long term. Since the start of 2024, these figures have been up by nearly 5%, showing that Bitcoin remains a powerful asset for all those who choose to integrate it into their portfolios.
There’s also the fact that the marketplace has much to look forward to. The exchange-traded funds were only just approved, and the halving has not even been around for a month. Add to that the new functionality brought by the ordinals, the BRC-20 standard, and the Runes, and you’ll instantly see that Bitcoin has had a lot on its plate over the past few months. It is improbable for an asset to underperform when it is home to so much innovation, especially in the crypto environment where hype reigns supreme and every single new addition to the blockchain sends prices up instantaneously.
Market sentiment remains high, and most investors are optimistic about Bitcoin’s prospects. Right now, the consensus is that BTC will conquer the $100,000 level by the end of the year and that 2025 could take it to $200,000. By that time, the effects of the halving will be in full swing, and investors will be able to enjoy the benefits of their work and effort. What’s more, as rising fear levels begin to take over the trading environment, it is very likely that traders who are dealing primarily with altcoins will seek to reallocate their funds into Bitcoin, driving engagement rates even higher.
May kickstarted with the highest level of fear recorded since the beginning of the year, indicating that most traders don’t feel secure and believe that the marketplace will undoubtedly continue to change and record even more variations and fluctuations in the long run. This is naturally not good news for portfolios, and investors will have to adjust their strategies in order to make room for flexibility and ensure that they don’t record more losses than gains.
Wrapping it Up
The halving has always been associated with climbing prices, but it takes a while for the market to get there. Historically, the prices began to really grow somewhere around six months post-halving, with the development continuing for the next twelve to eighteen months, following which corrections inevitably follow. After each halving, investors expect the market to become more resilient and less changeable, a trend that will steadily get it into the mainstream. In 2024, Bitcoin’s consolidation will likely be faster and more definitive as a result of a more stable and predictable macroeconomic environment.
Investors have dealt with fluctuations for the better part of the last couple of years and are consequently much better prepared to handle volatility than they were in 2022. This will also result in higher success rates across the marketplace, acting like a stabilizing force across the environment. The current belief that altcoins will replace Bitcoin is actually not new at all and frequently appears around the time of a halving. This is because investors see the potential for higher returns from other cryptocurrencies. But just as in the past, this trend is not likely to last long this year either, and it is definitely not enough to say that Bitcoin will lose its throne.
If you’re a crypto investor, you should be particularly attentive this year, as the prices will likely deal with considerable variations. The slow and steady approach will take you much further than any risky endeavor promising high returns overnight.