Bitcoin News Today: Bitcoin dominance hits 3-year high of 59.3% amid ETF approval and stable on-chain trends

Bitcoin’s dominance in the cryptocurrency market has reached a 3-year high of 59.3% in 2025, reflecting a growing institutional and regulatory push toward mainstream adoption of the leading digital asset [3]. The rise in dominance underscores a broader trend of Bitcoin reclaiming market share that had previously been ceded to altcoins during periods of speculative fervor and market fragmentation. This shift has been bolstered by the approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs and a more stable on-chain environment, with daily fluctuations narrowing significantly compared to previous years [3].

The trajectory of Bitcoin’s dominance over the past decade has been marked by distinct phases. From 2013 to 2016, Bitcoin dominated 83–93% of the market. However, the 2017–2018 ICO boom saw its share plummet to a record low of 31.1% in January 2018. The subsequent years saw a gradual recovery, with dominance stabilizing between 60% and 70% by 2020. Another dip occurred in 2021 and 2022, with Bitcoin’s share falling to 38.6%, as altcoins outperformed. But starting in 2023, Bitcoin began a steady climb, fueled by regulatory progress and the launch of new financial products [3].

This resurgence has been further reinforced by the increased participation of long-term holders, with older investors maintaining a relatively passive stance while new entrants continue to grow in number. The market’s evolving maturity is also evident in the narrowing daily dominance swings, now averaging just 1.2–1.6%, compared to peaks of 16% in earlier years [3].

Despite these positive developments, historical patterns suggest potential challenges lie ahead. August and September have historically been bearish months for Bitcoin. Data from Lookonchain shows that in eight of the past 12 years, the asset has experienced price declines during this period, resulting in a 67% probability of a seasonal correction [3]. Analysts have highlighted this as a key risk factor, particularly given the timing of large options expirations and macroeconomic pressures, including U.S. inflation data and tariff announcements [4].

Bitcoin’s performance in July 2025, when it surpassed $122,000 to hit a new all-time high, has demonstrated its resilience amid broader market uncertainty [6]. This was supported by the U.K.’s FCA lifting its retail ban on crypto ETNs and renewed discussions about stablecoin regulations in the U.S. [3]. However, as the market remains sensitive to macroeconomic developments, investors are closely watching for any shifts in U.S. Federal Reserve policy that could impact the digital asset sector [5].

While Bitcoin has shown signs of strengthening its position as a leading store of value and investment asset, the looming August–September slump presents a critical test. If Bitcoin can maintain its dominance during this historically weak period, it could signal a broader acceptance of the asset class in global financial markets. For now, the data suggests that while the fundamentals are favorable, structural and seasonal pressures remain a factor that could influence near-term price dynamics [3].

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[1] Analyst Predicts Historical 90% XRP Crash Against Bitcoin, But This Will Happen First (https://www.mitrade.com/insights/news/live-news/article-3-1006626-20250802)

[2] XRP Loses $2.4B, Cardano Falls 7%, But $BFX Presale Raises $4.4M in Record Time (https://coincentral.com/xrp-loses-2-4b-cardano-falls-7-but-bfx-presale-raises-4-4m-in-record-time-could-this-be-2025s-next-100x-crypto/)

[3] Bitcoin Dominance Hits 3-Year High But Faces Historical August-September Slump (https://coinedition.com/bitcoin-dominance-hits-3-year-high-but-faces-historical-august-september-slump/)

[4] Crypto Market Crash: Why BTC, ETH, XRP, SOL, DOGE (https://www.thecoinrepublic.com/2025/08/01/crypto-market-crash-why-btc-eth-xrp-sol-doge-memecoins-are-falling-today/)

[5] Bitcoin, XRP, Ether Recoup Overnight Losses (https://cryptoadventure.com/bitcoin-xrp-ether-recoup-overnight-losses-as-analysts-point-to-growing-threat-to-fed-independence/)

[6] July 2025 in Crypto: Prices rally on US regulatory clarity (https://trakx.io/resources/insights/july-2025-in-crypto-prices-rally-on-us-regulatory-clarity-and-renewed-fiscal-fears/)