Altcoin Apocalypse Looms: Survival of the Fittest in Crypto Market

The cryptocurrency market in 2025 is witnessing significant changes, unlike the previous periods of rapid growth. After years of overall market rallies, the era of almost every altcoin surging may be coming to an end. Industry experts, such as Ki Young Ju, CEO of CryptoQuant, predict that most altcoins could disappear in the coming months. The key to survival will be proving financial soundness and securing institutional investor backing.

The crypto market is currently in a phase some analysts are calling a "purge," with market corrections leading to the liquidation of many leveraged positions. About 24% of the 200 largest cryptocurrencies have reached their lowest prices of the year, indicating that the bubble of risky growth is shrinking. However, this correction is considered normal for the market's cycle, and it may present an opportunity for investors to buy back in at lower prices.

During this market shake-up, some altcoins are poised to benefit from emerging opportunities, particularly crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Seven major cryptocurrencies, including Cardano (ADA), Solana (SOL), Ripple (XRP), Litecoin (LTC), Hedera (HBAR), Dogecoin (DOGE), and Polkadot (DOT), are awaiting approval from U.S. regulators for ETF listings. If approved, these assets could attract large institutional investment, providing them with a much-needed boost.

However, ETF approval is just one aspect of a project's survival. The basic economic strength of each project and user involvement will also play a crucial role in determining which cryptocurrencies can remain relevant. As the market becomes more selective, projects that can demonstrate their financial viability and attract institutional investors will have a better chance of surviving the "altcoin purge."