Bitcoin Dominates, Altcoins Plummet: Should You Still Buy the Dip?

Many major altcoins including Ethereum and Solana dropped over 15% in the last day.
Bitcoin's market share is at its highest since April 2021, potentially hurting altcoin growth.
Experts advise caution on buying altcoins due to potential further decline.

In the latest twist of the crypto rollercoaster, altcoin prices took a nosedive, dropping by over 15 percent across many of the top twenty cryptocurrencies. Surprisingly, despite this downturn, the total global cryptocurrency market cap managed to climb by 3.93 percent over the past day, hitting a hefty $2.38 trillion.

As the dust settles, Bitcoin emerges as the undisputed leader, with its market cap soaring to $1.28 trillion, making up a massive 53.92 percent of the total market value—a level not seen since April 2021. This surge in Bitcoin’s dominance is reshaping the playing field, causing altcoins to lose their grip.

Words of Caution

Amidst the rush to “buy the dip,” one voice urges caution. Benjamin Cowen, CEO of Into The Cryptoverse, advises against diving into altcoins during this market correction. He points to historical trends, suggesting there could be further declines, drawing parallels with the 2019 downturn sparked by Ethereum’s struggles against Bitcoin.

All these influencers are telling you to buy the dip on Alts but the last time #ETH /#BTC broke support in 2019 just before rate cuts arrived, ALTs dropped 70%+ over the next 6-9 months

And ETH/BTC broke support 2 days ago.
— Benjamin Cowen (@intocryptoverse) April 16, 2024

Cowen’s concerns extend beyond mere market swings. He warns of potential fallout if the Federal Reserve decides to cut interest rates, foreseeing a possible market nosedive this quarter, especially for altcoins. Stressing the importance of Bitcoin dominance, Cowen predicts a potential rise to 60%, historically signaling trouble for altcoins.

#ETH / #BTC has fallen!

We now officially have a weekly close below the June 2022 low.

Potential bottom of #ETH / #BTC this summer after being in a bear market since Nov 2021.

Timing can change, but the last 2 times this happened, the final capitulation process took 2-3 months https://t.co/rwqj5u4n8A pic.twitter.com/g7aZF7qdhp
— Benjamin Cowen (@intocryptoverse) April 15, 2024

Backing up Cowen’s view, Matrixport, a leading digital assets platform, highlights Bitcoin’s growing dominance as a sign of a restrained bull market. Contrary to optimistic forecasts of an altcoin resurgence, Matrixport suggests that Bitcoin could maintain its supremacy, dampening hopes of significant altcoin gains.

Altcoins Take a Hit

Over the weekend, major altcoins faced the brunt of the market turmoil, with Ethereum, Solana, Dogecoin, Cardano, Avalanche, and Shiba Inu all experiencing declines ranging from 1 percent to 4 percent. Adding to the losses, Bitcoin itself saw a notable drop, losing almost 8 percent of its value, slipping from around $70K on April 12 to $62K on April 16.

With Cowen and Matrixport’s cautionary analyses in mind, investors are urged to tread carefully, considering Bitcoin’s growing dominance and historical patterns before making investment decisions