We might need to hit pause on hopes for an altcoin season at least for now.

Bitcoin’s market dominance has just blown past 64%, and that’s no small feat. This isn’t just a stat, it’s a clear sign of where the smart money is flowing. With big players and corporate treasuries doubling down on $BTC (either holding it outright or through ETFs), the altcoin crowd is getting left behind.

Here’s the kicker:

Out of the top 50 altcoins, only 10 have outperformed Bitcoin in the last 90 days. That’s way below the 75% needed to trigger what we call a true altcoin season. Simply put, Bitcoin is eating up the spotlight and most alts just can’t keep up.

Why this is happening:

Institutions are playing it safe and they’re mimicking the MicroStrategy model stacking sats in bulk while altcoins deal with token unlocks, weak momentum, and inconsistent volume. Analyst Daan Crypto summed it up bluntly: Bitcoin dominance is here to stay, and it’s likely to rise even further.

Even the brief pump we saw during Ethereum’s short squeeze last month couldn’t hold. It fizzled fast. Why? No strong spot buying. No conviction. Just hype without legs.

And that’s the recurring theme for alts right now failed momentum, quick fades, and little institutional love.

Market structure still leans heavily in Bitcoin’s favor:

  • ETF inflows? Mostly BTC.

  • Corporate treasury strategies? BTC.

  • Regulatory clarity? You guessed it BTC again.

Crypto analyst Astronomer pointed out a possible window where alts could shine, but it would require BTC to cool off a bit and stay under 65% dominance something that doesn’t seem likely with its current momentum.

At the time of writing, Bitcoin is cruising around $104,800, holding firm near its highs while altcoins continue to lag.

So what now?

If you’re still playing the altcoin game, this is the season of patience and precision. Don’t chase every chart focus only on high-conviction plays. The broader rotation might come, but the structure needs to shift big time for alts to reclaim their groove.

Until then, Bitcoin’s throne looks safer than ever.