The 2025 crypto cycle has kicked off with a bang, and once again, Bitcoin (BTC) is proving why it’s the king of the digital asset world. After smashing past its previous all-time high and reaching $112,000, Bitcoin is now consolidating around $107,000 — a move analysts see as a healthy correction within a strong bull trend.
Meanwhile, altcoins are still trailing, with the TOTAL Altcoin Market Cap more than 30% below its 2021 peak. This growing divergence between Bitcoin and the rest of the market is raising a major question:
Is Bitcoin running the 2025 bull run solo? Or will altcoins catch up eventually?
In this in-depth article, we’ll break down:
Bitcoin’s powerful price action and technical outlook
Why altcoins are lagging this cycle
What key indicators could trigger altseason
And what every trader should watch next
Let’s dive in.
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Bitcoin’s Breakout to $112K — The Bull Run Has Legs
All-Time High Smashed — What It Means
Bitcoin didn’t just flirt with its previous ATH near $109K — it obliterated it. The price soared to $112,000, before dipping back to the $107K–$107.5K zone, now acting as a key support level. This is what traders call a bullish retest — where old resistance turns into new support, signaling continuation.
Technical Indicators Backing BTC’s Strength:
Strong bullish candles on the weekly chart
Massive breakout volume, showing conviction
34-week EMA (currently at $87,938) still holding as macro support
50, 100, and 200-week moving averages all rising, indicating long-term trend strength
BTC isn’t just holding strong — it’s leading. And this time, it’s leaving the rest of the market behind.
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Altcoins Are Underperforming — Here's Why
Even with Bitcoin’s rally, altcoins haven’t come close to their previous highs. Crypto analyst Daan notes that the TOTAL Altcoin Market Cap (excluding BTC) is still over 30% below its 2021 highs. So what’s holding them back?
Reasons Altcoins Are Struggling in 2025:
1. Institutional capital is focusing on BTC — institutions treat Bitcoin as digital gold.
2. Regulatory pressure — altcoins are under scrutiny from US, EU, and global authorities.
3. Weak ETH/BTC pair — Ethereum’s underperformance is stalling the altcoin sector.
4. TOTAL2 chart resistance — the broader altcoin market is stuck below a major barrier.
In simple terms, until Ethereum and the TOTAL2 chart break key resistance levels, altcoins may continue lagging.
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BTC Dominance Is Rising — A Warning for Altcoin Traders
Bitcoin dominance has risen above 55%, a clear sign that the market is BTC-centric in 2025. When BTC dominance increases:
Altcoins typically underperform
Capital flows out of alts and into BTC
Traders prefer “safer” options in volatile conditions
This doesn't mean altcoins won’t pump — but it does mean BTC is in the driver’s seat right now.
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What’s Next for BTC? Possible Targets and Pullbacks
If Support Holds:
Next key upside targets:
$120,000–$125,000 short-term
$140,000+ long-term (especially if Q3 or Q4 continues bullish momentum)
If Support Breaks:
Potential dip to $103,600 — still within bullish structure
Deeper correction to $95K–$100K — considered a major buy zone
Macro uptrend remains intact as long as BTC stays above $87K
Bottom line: BTC’s structure is still bullish, and short-term corrections may be buying opportunities.
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When Will Altseason Start? Watch These Key Signals:
1. Ethereum vs Bitcoin (ETH/BTC) breakout — historically triggers altcoin rallies
2. TOTAL2 (Altcoin Market Cap) breaking resistance
3. Bitcoin stabilizing above ATH and losing momentum
4. Market sentiment shift — from BTC-only hype to broader ecosystem interest
5. Strong narratives — AI tokens, DeFi 2.0, Web3, or gaming coins gaining traction
Until these conditions are met, altcoins might only see isolated pumps, not a full-scale altseason.
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Smart Investor Strategy: Ride BTC, Time Altcoin Entries Wisely
For beginners: BTC and ETH are safest bets
For altcoin fans: Wait for clear breakout signals, don’t gamble at random lows
Focus on quality: Layer 1s, innovative AI tokens, real DeFi use cases
Always manage your risk — don’t go all-in without confirmation
Remember: You don’t need to catch every wave. You just need to ride the right one at the right time.
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Conclusion: Bitcoin Is Leading the Charge — Altcoins Must Wait Their Turn
Bitcoin has reclaimed the spotlight in 2025 with explosive momentum and a solid technical foundation. Meanwhile, altcoins are stuck in consolidation, struggling to break out of their bear-market resistance levels.
But history shows that when BTC cools off and consolidates — altcoins often awaken.
Until then, stay focused, follow the trend, and respect the market leader. Because this time, Bitcoin might just be running the show a little longer than anyone expected.