XRP has been in a consolidation phase for weeks, a stark contrast to Bitcoin's performance during the same period. Bitcoin marked a bottom near $60,000 and surged to $81,000.
Bitcoin Dominance is a Key Indicator
This cycle has broken previous patterns. Bitcoin's dominance continues to rise, and its price has followed suit. In contrast, other altcoins have seen a decline. ChartNerd notes, “Bitcoin's dominance and price are sustainably rising, while the entire cryptocurrency market has been declining since 2021, a trend that has persisted for five years.” This is clearly a long-term trend rather than a short-term anomaly, but the situation may be changing.
Why This Cycle Feels Different
This time, the pattern has not developed as expected. Bitcoin continues to rise without rotating funds into the broader market. ChartNerd comments, “There is a significant divergence.” While some altcoins have performed well, he points out TON as an exception. Overall, the macro picture remains unchanged.