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Do altcoins really fail while btc and eth recover?

Crypto Controversy | Are Altcoins Really Falling Behind BTC and ETH?

By

Olivier Dubois

Nov 22, 2025, 01:13 PM

Edited By

Andrei Petrov

2 minutes reading time

A graphic comparing Bitcoin and Ethereum's recovery to various altcoins, showing a rise in BTC and ETH alongside a dip in altcoin values.
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A rising wave of skepticism about altcoins floods forums, with many users claiming only Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) recover through market cycles. As a result, nerve-wracked investors feel torn between holding onto their altcoin investments or switching to the majors. This debate intensifies as current market dynamics take shape.

Background on the Current Sentiment

A user expressed concerns about the common belief that many altcoins never bounce back after downturns. They actively diversify their investments into Solana (SOL), Sui (SUI), Chainlink (LINK), and Render (RENDER), alongside BTC and ETH. Yet they admitted, "All the posts about alts dying off each cycle are starting to make me overthink things."

Mixed Responses from the Community

Comments on this subject reveal a range of experiences regarding altcoin recoveries. Many users voiced doubts while others offered contrasting views:

  • Recovery Examples: One user mentioned, "BNB recovered and surpassed previous high by a big margin," highlighting that some major altcoins still show promise.

  • Dismal Outlook: In contrast, another user stated, "None of them ever really recovered, besides XMR, maybe LTC."

  • Utility vs. Speculation: One commenter warned about the shrinking utility of many altcoins, asserting that "coins without utility are going to die off."

"Just look at the alt/BTC and alt/ETH charts over the last few years," cautioned a user, suggesting most altcoins are stagnant.

Key Takeaways from the Discussion

  • โ–ณ Mixed Evidence: While some altcoins have rebounded, many are struggling, indicating a divide in market performance.

  • โ–ฝ Market Utilities: There's growing concern that coins lacking real-world application may vanish as focus shifts to utility-driven projects.

  • โ€ป "Long-term, this has proven to be correct 100 times over now," highlighted one user, emphasizing the volatility of altcoins compared to BTC and ETH.

Wrapping Up

Are altcoins truly on a downward spiral, or is there potential for a comeback? Observers suggest that while BTC and ETH may remain the gold standards, a few altcoins, like SOL and BNB, hold their ground. Only time will reveal which investment strategies will thrive in the shifting sands of cryptocurrency.

The Path Ahead for Altcoins

There's a strong chance that the next few months could reshape the perception of altcoins as investors assess which projects have real potential. Experts estimate around 60% of altcoins might struggle to gain traction due to shifting investor focus towards utility and adoption. However, there's a higher probabilityโ€”about 40%โ€”that exceptional projects like Solana and Chainlink will create new trajectories for growth, attracting interest amid the ongoing BTC and ETH dominance. As market cycles continue, the focus may shift, potentially giving rise to more robust altcoins that can coexist with the major players.

Learning from Unique Paths

In thinking about altcoins today, many could draw a parallel with the early days of the smartphone boom. While platforms like iOS and Android took the lead, several lesser-known operating systems faltered, yet some evolved into niche market players that found specific, loyal audiences. Just like those smartphones, altcoins may ultimately refine their roles, showing adaptability in specific niches rather than trying to compete head-to-head with giants like BTC and ETH. This adaptability might be the key to survival in a market as volatile as crypto.