Bitfinex latest research: Speculative funds are shifting from Bitcoin to altcoins, usually signaling the arrival of "altcoin season."

ChainCatcher news, Bitfinex released a report stating, "Bitcoin's approach to the historic $100,000 mark is driven by unprecedented inflows into Bitcoin ETFs and strong institutional demand. Despite facing profit-taking resistance at its latest all-time high, Bitcoin has shown resilience, maintaining around $96,000 over the weekend and then regaining some upward momentum in early trading on Monday. Since the pre-U.S. presidential election low of $66,880, Bitcoin has risen by 47%, and it has astonishingly increased by 130% year-to-date, paving the way for new horizons. The performance of Bitcoin compared to traditional assets is undeniable: Bitcoin's market capitalization has now surpassed Saudi Aramco, becoming the seventh-largest asset globally, with a peak valuation exceeding $1.9 trillion.

Although Bitcoin's upward momentum is remarkable, it is not without profit-taking from long-term holders. Despite increased pressure, the current pressure remains manageable compared to the historical peaks in March 2021 and March 2024. These trends indicate a temporary stagnation in market momentum, but the overall market may absorb selling pressure and continue to rise in the medium term.

The overall cryptocurrency market (excluding Bitcoin and Ethereum, referred to as the Total3 index) has also reached a new cycle high, with investor sentiment surging, driving the Total3 index to experience a 23.2% increase from low to high last week—this is the largest increase since April 2021. Large-cap altcoins, such as Solana (SOL), have reached new all-time highs, marking their breakthrough of key resistance levels, including the April 2022 peak.

The market capitalization of altcoins is now approaching the $984 billion high from May 2021, indicating that speculative funds are shifting from Bitcoin to altcoins. Historically, this kind of fund rotation often heralds the arrival of "altcoin season," where altcoins outperform Bitcoin.

In fact, the annualized funding rate for large-cap altcoins has surpassed the 45% threshold, marking an increase in speculative activity. With the participation of retail investors on the rise, short-term volatility is expected to increase, further driving the momentum of altcoins. However, these conditions also require caution, as extreme funding rates often signal severe market corrections."