Altcoin Momentum Builds as XRP and Solana Attract Attention After Bitcoin Peak
With Bitcoin pausing near its all-time highs, traders are rotating into high-cap altcoins, setting the stage for a potential new leg in the crypto market cycle.
During Friday’s Asian trading hours, Bitcoin hovered below $111,000 following its record-setting rally earlier in the week. Profit-taking has slowed its momentum, prompting a shift in focus to alternative assets. Cardano (ADA), Dogecoin (DOGE), and Solana (SOL) climbed up to 4%, while Ethereum (ETH), XRP, and Binance Coin (BNB) registered modest gains.
The CoinDesk 20 Index — which tracks top digital assets — rose 1.2% over the past 24 hours, reflecting growing optimism across major altcoins.
Bitget Research Chief Analyst Ryan Lee believes the current market structure supports a broader move into altcoins. “Bitcoin dominance could soften from here, allowing altcoins like XRP and Solana to outperform,” Lee said. He cited XRP’s recent breakout against BTC and increased legal clarity as catalysts, estimating a mid-term price range of $3 to $8.
Lee also sees ETF speculation fueling SOL’s upside, forecasting a climb to the $220–$300 zone. ADA, he added, may be gearing up for a breakout between $1 and $3.
Singapore-based QCP Capital added that the latest Bitcoin run appears fundamentally sound, unlike prior cycles driven mostly by hype. “There’s less FOMO and more structure this time,” the firm stated in a Thursday update. However, it cautioned that macroeconomic factors — including U.S. tariffs, rising Treasury yields, and a strong dollar — could reintroduce volatility, especially in smaller altcoins.
FxPro’s Alex Kuptsikevich noted that market sentiment is nearing “extreme greed” territory, indicating room for further upside — though traders should remain alert to shifts.
As Bitcoin cools off, altcoins like XRP and Solana are capturing capital and attention — possibly setting the stage for the next big rally in digital assets.
