Bitcoin News Today: Asia Drives Crypto Shift as Bitcoin Loses Global Grip

Bitcoin’s dominance in global crypto payments has broken a key trend line in the first half of 2025, signaling a potential shift in the altseason, according to new data from CoinGate. The original cryptocurrency, which had led in digital asset transactions on the platform in 2023 with a 35.4% share, saw its position challenged as Tether’s stablecoin USDT surged in prominence. By 2025, USDT maintained its dominance with 24.8% of transactions, while Bitcoin recovered slightly to 23.3% but remains well below its earlier share [1]. This fluctuation has prompted analysts to suggest the beginning of a broader altcoin rotation, with Bitcoin’s market dominance declining from 63% to 59% [2].

Litecoin, meanwhile, has shown resilience, holding steady in the top three with a 13.6% share in 2025, up from 9.3% in 2023. The altcoin’s appeal appears rooted in its low-cost, fast transactions, a feature that has gradually attracted a consistent user base [1]. In contrast, Solana saw a sharp decline in 2025, with its global share dropping from 14% to just 2%—a dramatic reversal from its earlier dominance in markets like Brazil [1].

Regional preferences in crypto usage also revealed stark contrasts. The U.S. emerged as the largest market for CoinGate transactions, with 23.28% of the platform’s global volume. Bitcoin remains the preferred asset for American users, accounting for 40% of their transactions. In contrast, stablecoins dominate in Asia, where USDT captured 50% of the orders in Hong Kong and 43% in India [1]. The shift in regional dynamics highlights how local economic conditions and regulatory environments influence crypto adoption.

The recent release of hotter-than-expected U.S. inflation data further complicated the market landscape. With PPI MoM jumping to 0.9%—well above the expected 0.2%—investors recalibrated their expectations for the Fed’s upcoming rate decisions. While the broader crypto market saw a pullback, the upward trend initiated in April appears to hold. Bessent reiterated that no near-term sales of confiscated Bitcoin are expected, suggesting that the supply side remains stable [2]. This, combined with growing corporate adoption—whether through payments integration or speculative positioning—provides a structural underpinning for the market’s resilience.

Analysts note that the altcoin rotation, as indicated by Bitcoin’s falling dominance and the rise of USDT and Litecoin, could signal a more diversified market in the months ahead. While Bitcoin continues to serve as the primary store of value, altcoins may gain traction as more use cases emerge, particularly in DeFi and blockchain-based applications. As Asia solidifies its role as a blockchain powerhouse—accounting for 60% of global digital asset trading—further adoption and innovation in the region could shape the next phase of the crypto cycle [3].

Source:

[1] Bitcoin Tops US Crypto Payments, Stablecoins Rule Asia (https://www.mitrade.com/insights/news/live-news/article-3-1041117-20250815)

[2] Asia Colour - QCP August 15, 2025 (https://www.qcpgroup.com/insights/asia-colour-148/)

[3] Why Asia Is Becoming The World's Blockchain Powerhouse (https://blockchainreporter.net/why-asia-is-becoming-the-worlds-blockchain-powerhouse/)