The cryptocurrency market continues to evolve at a rapid pace, shaped by macroeconomic forces, technological upgrades, and investor sentiment. To cut through the noise and gain clarity, data-driven insights are essential. In this article, we explore 10 powerful charts from the Crypto Market Guide by Glassnode and Coinbase that reveal key trends shaping the current landscape — from Bitcoin’s growing dominance to signs pointing toward an impending altcoin surge.
These visuals not only help contextualize where we are in the market cycle but also provide actionable signals for investors navigating this dynamic environment.
Bitcoin Dominance Rises from 50% to Over 52%
Bitcoin's market dominance has climbed from 50% to more than 52%, signaling strong capital concentration in the leading cryptocurrency. Historically, Bitcoin dominance tends to decline during "altseason" — periods when investors rotate into riskier altcoins. The fact that dominance is rising instead suggests such a rotation hasn’t occurred yet.
👉 Discover what could trigger the next major altcoin rally
This trend may reflect risk-off behavior early in the bull cycle or confidence in Bitcoin as a macro hedge. With institutional adoption and spot ETF approvals, BTC remains the gateway asset for new entrants. However, once confidence solidifies, capital often spills over into high-potential altcoins — meaning we may still be in the early innings of broader market participation.
Low Correlation with Traditional Assets Enhances Portfolio Value
One of crypto’s most compelling attributes is its historically low correlation with traditional asset classes like stocks, bonds, and commodities. This decoupling means digital assets can serve as a diversification tool, offering unique risk-return profiles within investment portfolios.
Even during periods of market stress — such as the 2022 banking turmoil or inflation spikes — crypto has demonstrated independent price action. While short-term correlations may rise during volatility, long-term data supports crypto’s role as a non-traditional asset class.
For investors seeking uncorrelated returns, this chart underscores why allocating a strategic portion to crypto can improve portfolio efficiency.
Stablecoin Supply Surges by Over 14% in Q1
Stablecoins act as the lifeblood of crypto markets, facilitating trading, lending, and cross-border transfers. In the first quarter of 2025, stablecoin supply grew by over 14%, reflecting increased on-chain activity and growing trust in digital dollar equivalents.
This expansion indicates rising demand for liquidity within decentralized ecosystems. Moreover, transparency around reserve holdings — particularly for major stablecoins like USDC and DAI — has improved significantly, boosting credibility.
A growing stablecoin supply often precedes bullish momentum, as it represents “dry powder” ready to be deployed into risk assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Post-Halving Bitcoin Performance: A Proven Growth Pattern
Bitcoin’s halving events — occurring roughly every four years — reduce block rewards by 50%, tightening new supply. Historically, these events have preceded significant price rallies.
Looking at past cycles:
- After the first halving (2012), Bitcoin returned over 1,000% within 12 months.
- Following the second halving (2016), gains exceeded 200%.
- After the third halving (2020), prices surged more than 600% in one year.
With the latest halving now behind us, market participants are watching closely to see if history repeats. Reduced issuance combined with steady or increasing demand creates a classic supply-constrained environment — a fundamental driver of price appreciation.
Declining Available Bitcoin Supply Signals Scarcity
While Bitcoin’s total supply is capped at 21 million, the available supply — coins actively traded or spendable — is far smaller. Currently, it stands at around 4.6 million BTC, down from previous highs.
This decline is driven by:
- Lost wallets
- Long-term holders (HODLers)
- Locked tokens in staking or smart contracts
The shrinking liquid supply suggests increasing scarcity ahead of the next phase of the bull market. Unlike prior halvings, where available supply trended upward, this contraction could amplify upward pressure on price if demand accelerates.
Bitcoin’s Bull Market Cycle: Still Room to Run
Bitcoin has historically followed exponential growth patterns during bull markets. The current cycle began in November 2022, and BTC has already appreciated fourfold from its low.
Compare this to:
- The 2015–2017 cycle: ~100x return
- The 2018–2021 cycle: ~20x return
While we’ve seen strong gains so far, both historical cycles peaked well beyond current levels. This implies substantial upside potential remains — especially if macro conditions remain favorable and institutional inflows continue.
Bitcoin’s Price Performance Since Recent Lows
Since hitting its cycle low in late 2022, Bitcoin has risen over 400% within 17 months. This trajectory most closely mirrors the 2018–2022 cycle, where BTC eventually delivered a 1,000% gain within 24 months.
We’re not yet at the parabolic phase — typically characterized by retail FOMO and media frenzy — suggesting we may still be in the middle stages of this bull run.
Ethereum’s Recovery: Up Over 200% From Lows
Ethereum has gained more than 200% since its 2022 low — slightly lagging Bitcoin but still showing strong momentum. Its current path resembles the 2018–2022 cycle, where ETH eventually rose 400% over 24 months.
Upgrades like Dencun have reduced Layer-2 fees and boosted scalability, driving developer activity and user adoption. As DeFi and NFT ecosystems expand, Ethereum’s utility strengthens — potentially fueling further outperformance in later stages of the cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does rising Bitcoin dominance mean for altcoins?
A: Rising dominance often indicates a risk-averse phase where investors favor Bitcoin. However, once confidence builds, capital typically rotates into altcoins — setting up for a potential "altseason."
Q: Are we in a bull market?
A: Yes. Multiple indicators — price performance, on-chain activity, and institutional interest — confirm we are in a bull market. However, we may still be in the early to mid-phase based on historical comparisons.
Q: Why is stablecoin growth important?
A: Stablecoin supply growth reflects increasing liquidity in crypto markets. More stablecoins mean more purchasing power ready to enter BTC, ETH, and altcoins — often preceding price rallies.
Ethereum Supply Now Mostly in Profit
Tracking the percentage of Ethereum supply that is "in profit" helps identify market phases:
- Bottom: Most supply is underwater (<55% profitable)
- Accumulation/Recovery: Balanced zone (55%–95%)
- Euphoria: Nearly all supply is profitable (>95%)
Currently, over 55% of ETH supply is in profit, placing us in the early recovery phase. This suggests room for further upside before reaching peak optimism.
Weekly Active Ethereum Addresses Jump 26%
On-chain activity surged in Q1 2025, with weekly active Ethereum addresses increasing by 26%. This growth follows the successful Dencun upgrade, which drastically reduced Layer-2 transaction costs.
Lower fees have made decentralized applications more accessible, driving usage across DeFi, gaming, and social platforms. Rising user engagement is a strong leading indicator of sustainable value accrual for Ethereum and its ecosystem tokens.
👉 See how blockchain activity correlates with market movements
What’s Next? Preparing for Altcoin Acceleration
Despite Bitcoin’s dominance uptick, all signs point toward a maturing bull market where altcoins could soon take center stage. Key catalysts include:
- Continued ETH ecosystem innovation
- Increasing retail participation
- Improving macro conditions
- Growing stablecoin liquidity
Historically, altcoins tend to outperform in the latter half of bull cycles — especially those with strong fundamentals and real-world use cases.
Frequently Asked Questions (Continued)
Q: When might altseason start?
A: Altseason often begins after Bitcoin dominance peaks and starts declining. With BTC still consolidating gains, we may see altcoin leadership emerge in late 2025 or early 2026.
Q: How do halvings affect prices?
A: Halvings reduce new supply, creating scarcity. If demand remains constant or increases, prices tend to rise — a dynamic observed in all previous cycles.
Q: Is on-chain data reliable for investing decisions?
A: On-chain metrics offer valuable insights into supply distribution, investor behavior, and network health. While not foolproof, they complement technical and fundamental analysis effectively.
👉 Explore real-time on-chain analytics to time your next move
Final Thoughts
These 10 charts paint a clear picture: we are in a maturing bull market driven by structural shifts in supply, demand, and adoption. Bitcoin remains the cornerstone, but Ethereum and the broader ecosystem are gaining momentum.
For investors, patience and data literacy will be key. The next leg of this cycle may reward those who understand not just price charts, but the underlying fundamentals powering this transformation.
By monitoring metrics like dominance trends, on-chain activity, and supply dynamics, you can position yourself ahead of major market moves — whether in Bitcoin or the altcoin space waiting in the wings.
Keywords: Bitcoin dominance, altcoin season forecast, crypto market analysis 2025, post-halving Bitcoin performance, Ethereum price outlook, stablecoin supply growth, on-chain activity metrics, cryptocurrency correlation