Looking at Bitcoin breaking through $120,000 and Ethereum re-establishing above $4,000, many people open their altcoin accounts only to find silence. This is not an isolated case — this round of market movement is like a silent show of divergence, with only Bitcoin and Ethereum remaining on stage.



If you've experienced previous bull markets, you must remember the pattern: Bitcoin moves first, Ethereum follows, then various altcoins collectively take off. The script for 2025 has completely failed, replaced by a cold "binary divergence."

**The turning point occurred in early 2024**

The approval of Bitcoin spot ETFs in the US seems like just a policy move, but in reality, it opened the door for traditional finance to enter the crypto market. The data speaks: just Bitcoin ETF funds attracted over $15 billion in net inflows in 2025. What does this mean? It’s a huge incremental capital.

But the key issue is — this money didn’t splash around as in the past, cascading down into altcoins. Instead, it’s circulating between Bitcoin and Ethereum, forming a self-playing loop.

**Numbers tell the truth**

Bitcoin’s share of the total crypto market capitalization has soared to around 60%, a rare high in recent years. Meanwhile, most altcoins have fallen 80-95% from their 2021 peaks. This isn’t market volatility — it’s structural divergence.

Institutional funds have entered, but the power to choose is held by a few "safe havens." BTC and ETH have become recognized safe assets by institutions, while those once-glamorous altcoins? They are ruthlessly filtered out by tangible hands. This is the true face of the crypto market in 2025 — big money only plays with the top players, and retail opportunities? You might need to rethink where they are.
BTC1,62%
ETH3,35%
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ForumMiningMastervip
· 2025-12-29 14:26
It's so heartbreaking. Open the wallet to a sea of green, BTC and ETH are soaring, but what about my altcoins? They're completely dead. This is how institutional entry works—only the top players benefit, retail investors get nothing, it's painful. 80-95% decline haha, I'm that unfortunate person. I should have listened and just held BTC, instead of gambling on those crappy coins. This time really is different. If I want to wait for altcoins to turn around, I might have to wait another three or five years.
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SleepyArbCatvip
· 2025-12-29 10:16
Nap time warning, the wallet is crying again... The moment I opened the altcoin account, I really just wanted to shut down. This wave of altcoins has been thoroughly filtered by institutions, with 80-95% declines, which is no joke. Retail investors are like the last batch of people being cut. Institutions only recognize BTC and ETH when they enter the market; the rest are just supporting roles. Stay alert, everyone. Playing the cycle with myself... it's really incredible. 15 billion is just bouncing between these two, with no flow at all. Now I don't even know if I should still touch altcoins. Those former star coins are now just scraps ruthlessly eliminated by a tangible hand.
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LazyDevMinervip
· 2025-12-28 14:37
I missed out on the $120,000 BTC, but my Shib is still just lying around, haha. This is the real "Venture Capitalist's Paradise," institutions eat the meat, retail investors drink the soup. I already said in 2024 it’s time to go all in on BTC, but waking up now is too late. Altcoins dropping 80% from their peak isn’t a market issue; it’s called "orderly exit." Funds have been drained by BTC; how can anyone expect small coins to turn around? My scattered tokens are better off lying on the floor and sleeping comfortably. Institutions chose Safe Harbor, so retail investors should just accept their fate. That $15 billion didn’t really flow into altcoins; it was all swallowed by the BTC ETF alone. Looks like I need to change my strategy in the future—playing with big funds is the only way to survive. Bitcoin hitting $120,000, but I’m just watching altcoin declines, self-indulgent.
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BlockchainBardvip
· 2025-12-26 14:56
Retail investors are crying in despair, while institutions are celebrating.
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MidnightMEVeatervip
· 2025-12-26 14:55
Good morning everyone, staying up at 2 a.m. to watch the K-line again... This is the liquidity trap. Pouring in 15 billion and ending up playing with oneself is even more ruthless than a sandwich attack.
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zkProofInThePuddingvip
· 2025-12-26 14:42
Damn, I opened my wallet and it's all small change. This feeling is incredible.
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Anon4461vip
· 2025-12-26 14:40
Wake up, wake up, this time is truly an institutional feast, retail investors have become spectators --- Damn, altcoins have dropped 80-95%? Is my portfolio really beyond saving? --- Exactly, BTC and ETH are bloodsucking machines, other coins deserve to be left behind --- The script for 2025 has changed, this time retail investors are out of the picture --- 15 billion came in and was all eaten by BTC, this cycle is incredible --- The "safe haven" recognized by institutions, in plain words, means retail investors have no chance --- The altcoins we bet on initially are now all tears --- We must accept the monopoly of top coins, we need to change our approach to playing --- Bitcoin's share skyrocketed to 60%, this signal is a bit cold
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LiquidationKingvip
· 2025-12-26 14:33
Damn, I opened my wallet and it's all paper. This is my 2025. --- Wow, the institutions' move is perfect, just like a knife cutting chives with precision. --- Basically, the big players are eating the meat, and we can't even get the soup. --- Still hoping for altcoins to take off, but they never intended to include us in the game. --- 60% BTC dominance, that number makes me feel anxious. --- The dream of sudden wealth has now turned into a nightmare of being trapped, so ironic. --- When institutions come in, they end up blocking retail investors outside the door. Hilarious. --- This market movement is like magic, money is circulating between BTC and ETH, and we haven't caught anything. --- Altcoins dropping 80-95% isn't just volatility; it's total wipeout, brother. --- No wonder those big influencers no longer hype altcoins; they knew the tricks all along.
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