Ethereum News Today: Altcoin Searches Hit 5-Year High as Bitcoin and Ethereum Smack Price Records

Google searches for the term “altcoin” have surged to a five-year high, mirroring a broader resurgence in interest in alternative cryptocurrencies as Bitcoin and Ethereum break price records. The uptick in search volume, as shown by Google Trends data, reflects a pattern seen previously during major bull runs in 2017 and 2021. With Bitcoin hitting an all-time high of $124,457, and Ethereum trading above $4,700, the total crypto market cap has now surpassed $4.21 trillion, driven by a combination of institutional adoption, corporate treasury diversification, and growing retail demand [1].

This renewed attention has triggered a capital rotation into altcoins, as Bitcoin’s market dominance has declined from 65% to 59% over the past two months. The Altcoin Season Index has risen to 39, moving closer to the 75 level historically associated with a full altcoin season. Prominent altcoins such as Solana, XRP, SUI, and Chainlink have all posted significant gains in the past week, with Chainlink up 43% and Solana up 19.3% [1].

Institutional investors are increasingly viewing altcoins as viable assets. In the first half of 2025, 31 altcoin ETF applications were submitted to U.S. regulators, a notable increase compared to previous years. Canary Capital’s proposed SUI ETF, which tracks the Sui token, has triggered formal SEC reviews, with Cboe BZX and Nasdaq also filing similar proposals. Bloomberg Intelligence analysts Eric Balchunas and James Seyffart have assigned 95% approval odds for ETFs tied to Solana, XRP, and Litecoin [1].

Corporate treasuries are also shifting toward altcoins. Companies such as DeFi Development Corp. now hold substantial amounts of Solana tokens, with most assets staked for yield generation. Similarly, the Chainlink Reserve has begun converting usage fees into LINK tokens to enhance network sustainability, signaling a broader trend of altcoins being treated as strategic assets rather than speculative ones [1].

Ethereum, in particular, is acting as a bellwether for the altcoin market. Its price has surged 81% over the past 90 days, outpacing Bitcoin’s 17% gain. With daily Ethereum transactions hitting an all-time high of 1.875 million, the network is experiencing unprecedented activity. Institutional demand is also rising, with Ethereum-focused treasuries holding $16.4 billion in ETH. Spot Ethereum ETF inflows reached $1.01 billion on August 11, further reinforcing the growing institutional interest in the asset class [1].

Despite the positive momentum, risks remain. Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has warned that overleveraged corporate treasuries could lead to forced liquidations if market conditions deteriorate. Meanwhile, a resurgence in Bitcoin’s dominance above 60% could potentially slow altcoin momentum. However, the current market structure suggests a continuation of altcoin strength, with the altcoin market cap hitting a three-month high of $1.67 trillion [1].

As the Altcoin Season Index continues to rise, the confluence of retail enthusiasm, institutional investment, and technological innovation is creating a strong tailwind for alternative cryptocurrencies. The stage is set for a potential breakout, with analysts describing the current conditions as a “bull flag” that could lead to further gains across the sector [1].

Source: [1] Google search for ‘Altcoin’ hits 5-year high as Bitcoin and Ethereum smash price records (https://coinmarketcap.com/community/articles/689dfc3b56d538309d897d8a/)