Altcoin Season Index Hovers at 22, Bitcoin Dominance Persists in 2025

The Altcoin Season Index has remained subdued, hovering around 22, which indicates that the market is still in a "Bitcoin Season" for most of 2025. The last time the index entered the "Altcoin Season" territory, above 75, was in November 2024. Since then, there has been no breakout above the 40 level, signaling continued underperformance of altcoins.

The index has been below the 75 mark since late 2024, a clear sign of persistent Bitcoin dominance. The current reading of around 22 places the market deep in the "Bitcoin Season," which is technically defined as levels of 25 and lower. This means that altcoins are trailing Bitcoin, based on the performance of the top 50 coins over a 90-day window.

From January to mid-June 2025, the altcoin season index remained below the 25-mark, reflecting Bitcoin’s ongoing outperformance of altcoins for nearly six straight months. Although the index briefly peaked above 25 in early May, it quickly retreated, reinforcing the continuation of Bitcoin-led momentum.

Late 2024 saw the index fluctuate higher towards the 75 level, suggesting a short-term reversal towards altcoin dominance. However, this advance was unsustainable, and the metric reversed sharply at the start of 2025. Despite volatility, the index trend generally remained in the lower-third of the scale, indicating a prolonged Bitcoin Season.

The last attempt to reach Altcoin Season territory occurred in November 2024, when the index surged to levels approaching 80, briefly placing the market in the Altcoin Season. This move was short-lived, and the index returned below 50 by December. Since then, there have been no successful retests of the 75 threshold. Since the beginning of 2025, every instance of an upward trend has failed to surpass the 40 marker, indicating underperformance in the altcoin space relative to Bitcoin's price behavior. By mid-June 2025, the market continued to trade below the 25 mark, representing a sustained cycle of Bitcoin dominance.

Two clear thresholds define the current market structure: Altcoin Season begins above 75, while Bitcoin Season holds below 25. The sustained reading under 25 since March reinforces a market trend that favors Bitcoin. Despite minor spikes and dips, none have shifted the overall pattern. Until the index moves above the neutral zone around 50, altcoins continue to lag in comparative performance. This pattern offers a measurable view of capital distribution within the digital asset sector, favoring Bitcoin for now.

The subdued performance of altcoins could be attributed to several factors, including regulatory developments, geopolitical tensions, and macroeconomic trends. Investors may be adopting a wait-and-see approach, preferring to hold onto Bitcoin until there is more clarity on these issues. The lack of significant price movements in the altcoin market also suggests a lack of interest or confidence in these assets, possibly due to concerns about the security and scalability of altcoin networks or the perception that these assets are more speculative and risky compared to Bitcoin.

In conclusion, the current state of the altcoin market, as indicated by the Altcoin Season Index, suggests that investors are still favoring Bitcoin over altcoins. This trend is likely to continue until there is a significant shift in market sentiment or a major development that boosts the appeal of altcoins. The dominance of Bitcoin in the market is a clear indicator of its status as the leading cryptocurrency, likely due to its established reputation, widespread adoption, and perception as a safe haven asset. Investors may be more inclined to hold Bitcoin during times of market uncertainty, as it is seen as a more stable and reliable investment compared to altcoins.