Bitcoin Tightens Grip On Crypto Market Amid 50% Altcoin Slump
Markets are tilting again towards the oldest cryptocurrency. Prices have discovered a busy band between $65,000 and $72,000. Trading in that vary has develop into a focus for giant gamers and lengthy holders. Some merchants are piling in. Others are stepping apart.
Trading Volume Rotation
According to trade figures, Bitcoin’s share of trades has climbed whereas many altcoins have misplaced floor. Reports say Bitcoin made up near 37% of whole buying and selling on a latest snapshot, with a piece of the market now shifting away from smaller tokens.
Ethereum nonetheless holds a big piece at roughly 28%, however the mixed altcoin share has fallen sharply from late final yr, down from roughly 59% to ranges close to 35%. That drop seems to be massive on the charts. It exhibits cash shifting again to essentially the most acquainted asset.
Altcoin Volumes Shrink by 50% as Capital Rotates Back to Bitcoin
“This sample has appeared repeatedly throughout earlier corrective phases, together with April 2025, August 2024, and October 2022 close to the tip of the bear market.” – By @Darkfost_Coc
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https://t.co/B0ZFeiMukl pic.twitter.com/jVRTOkaTic
— CryptoQuant.com (@cryptoquant_com) February 18, 2026
The Price Band That Draws Attention
Large orders and institutional flow have gravitated to the talked about value band. Whales and long-term holders are energetic there; accumulation and gross sales are each seen. Some of the exercise seems to be profit-taking after sturdy runs.
Some strikes are defensive, as merchants favor the perceived security of the oldest coin when the broader market feels unsure. Liquidity concentrates the place market contributors anticipate it. When that occurs, value swings might be sharper on one facet than the opposite.
What Market Caps And Dominance Reveal
Reports notice Bitcoin’s market cap has slipped from close to $1.55 trillion to about $1.34 trillion over latest weeks, whereas many altcoins noticed a lot smaller declines in whole market worth.
The shift in quantity doesn’t at all times match market cap modifications, however it’s significant: extra buying and selling in Bitcoin means extra consideration and sooner value discovery for that asset.
Dominance readings have edged down barely over a brief window, but Bitcoin stays essentially the most traded token on main platforms. Historical patterns present capital rotating into Bitcoin throughout corrections, and this cycle suits that mould.
Why Traders Are Watching
Some merchants anticipate stability to return if Bitcoin holds its present vary. Others warn that heavy focus of orders can produce sudden stress when sentiment flips.
The motion out of altcoins could create missed alternatives for selective consumers, nevertheless it additionally compresses danger for individuals who desire a single market chief. Market watchers will probably be watching quantity flows and order books carefully over the following periods.
Bitcoin Reclaims The Spotlight
Based on stories, Bitcoin has reasserted itself as the primary focus of crypto buying and selling for now. Short-term conduct will rely on whether or not consumers within the $65,000–$72,000 zone hold including or whether or not promoting stress builds and forces a wider transfer.
Either manner, the rotation away from many altcoins is obvious, and merchants are recalibrating the place they place their bets.
Featured picture from Pexels, chart from TradingView

