February 13 News, renowned crypto analyst Matthew Hyland pointed out that a key structural signal that appeared before the 2020 bull market is forming again: Bitcoin’s market dominance is weakening, while altcoin dominance continues to rise. For long-term traders, this change is not unfamiliar; it often indicates that capital is beginning to shift from a single asset to a broader crypto market.
Looking back at history, in 2018 and 2022, the market share of altcoins and Bitcoin declined simultaneously, during overall bear markets characterized by capital outflows and liquidity tightening. However, at the end of 2019, the situation reversed: Bitcoin’s price weakened, while altcoin share gradually increased. This did not immediately trigger a surge, but laid the groundwork for the significant rallies in 2020–2021. Now, a similar structure is reappearing.
Since October 10, 2025, the market relationship has noticeably reversed. Bitcoin has sharply retreated from its high levels, while overall altcoin market share has steadily increased. Currently, Bitcoin’s market share is about 56.5%, below the levels seen after its previous decline, indicating that funds are gradually dispersing. Although this change is not an immediate short-term bullish signal, it is often seen as a precursor to market rotation.
From a structural perspective, the rise in altcoin market share usually results from investors reallocating assets. Funds tend to flow first into large-cap mainstream projects, then expand into different sectors, eventually entering more speculative assets. This process is slow and easily overlooked, but it is a crucial phase in market buildup.
Of course, this cycle is not exactly the same as 2020. ETF fund flows, regulatory environment, and macro liquidity are all changing the market rhythm. However, the structural divergence itself remains an important clue. As Hyland said, the market framework similar to that before 2020 is returning, which could mean that a new wave of altcoin rallies is taking shape.
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