Altcoins closed 2025 weaker versus Bitcoin, marking a fourth consecutive year 
of underperformance. According to market data that tracks the TOTAL3/BTC ratio 
— which measures all altcoins excluding Bitcoin and Ethereum against Bitcoin — 
the ratio finished lower for calendar years 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. That 
streak has left traders and fund managers rethinking the old pattern where 
smaller tokens would often surge after Bitcoin rallies. Related Reading: 
Crypto ETFs Defy The Pullback With $32 Billion In Fresh Investor Cash Altcoins 
Underperform Bitcoin Market watchers say Bitcoin’s share of the overall crypto 
market has grown. Bitcoin dominance was reported at roughly 59–60% during the 
late 2025 selloff, a level that squeezed room for other tokens. Based on 
reports, small-cap tokens hit their lowest point in four years as money flowed 
into larger, more liquid assets. Bitcoin itself slipped from an October peak 
and ended the year in negative territory, a development covered by major 
outlets that noted it was the first yearly loss for Bitcoin since 2022. 
Altcoins have now dropped against Bitcoin for 4 years in a row 
pic.twitter.com/K3rJhSh1tM — Benjamin Cowen (@intocryptoverse) January 1, 2026 
Widespread Losses And Heavy Market Moves Several data providers found the 
median performance among the top 30 altcoins was negative for the year. Market 
value across the crypto sector fell sharply in late 2025, with some estimates 
saying more than $1 trillion was erased from total market capitalization 
during the downturn. Traders described 2025 as a year that began with optimism 
but closed with broad losses, and many small tokens that rose earlier in the 
year gave those gains back when risk appetite faded. What Analysts Are Saying 
Some analysts argue that institutional flows and investor preference for 
liquidity were important drivers of this trend. Others point to macro 
pressures in the US and global markets that reduced appetite for speculative 
positions. Reports note that for an altcoin rebound to beat Bitcoin again, 
fresh capital would need to rotate specifically into smaller tokens, rather 
than simply following Bitcoin’s moves. That shift has not been evident so far 
as 2026 unfurls. The TOTAL3/BTC measure is being used by many traders to gauge 
altcoin strength versus Bitcoin. When that ratio falls year after year, it 
means a unit of Bitcoin buys more altcoin market cap than before. Market 
trackers used by exchanges and analytics firms flagged the persistent downward 
trend across the last four calendar years, which is an unusual run relative to 
prior cycles when altcoins sometimes outpaced Bitcoin for parts of a market 
cycle. Related Reading: Crypto Exchange Korbit Fined $1.90 Million By South 
Korean Regulators Cautious Stance Investors are staying cautious. Volatility 
remains high and liquidity can dry up fast in smaller tokens, which makes 
large moves possible both ways. Based on reports, any meaningful restoration 
of altcoin gains will likely require clear, sustained capital flows and 
improved market sentiment. Until that happens, Bitcoin’s share of market 
capital will probably remain elevated, keeping pressure on smaller tokens. 
Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Bitcoin Dominance Grows As Altcoins Post Another Losing Year: Analyst

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innovation, attracting businesses and enhancing regulatory clarity.
The post Senator Lummis urges Congress to pass crypto market legislation 
appeared first on Crypto Briefing.

Senator Lummis urges Congress to pass crypto market legislation

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