Altcoins suffered as Bitcoin’s dominance increased in Q2, according to CoinGecko.

Altcoins suffered as Bitcoin's dominance increased in Q2, according to CoinGecko.

The Blockchain Industry: A Solid Quarter for Bitcoin and Market Dominance

The second quarter of the year has proven to be a solid one for Bitcoin’s performance, as its market dominance gained against altcoins, which “bled” throughout the quarter, according to CoinGecko’s industry report for Q2 20231. This report highlights the continued growth of Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) and their dominance over the market, while other cryptocurrencies such as Binance Coin (BNB), XRP (XRP), and Cardano (ADA) suffered double-digit losses2.

The losses experienced by BNB and ADA can be attributed to the lawsuits against Binance and Coinbase filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)3. Both cryptocurrencies were labeled securities, resulting in investor concerns and negative market sentiment. Additionally, decentralized finance (DeFi) tokens were hit particularly hard during the quarter, with Uniswap (UNI), Chainlink (LINK), and Lido (LDO) experiencing significant losses4.

The metaverse and play-to-earn tokens also marked losses during this period, with tokens such as Axie Infinity (AXS), Sandbox (SAND), and Decentraland (MANA) witnessing declines of up to 40%5. These losses can be attributed to various factors, including market volatility and potential regulatory concerns.

Despite the dominance of Bitcoin and the losses experienced by altcoins, there have been fluctuations in Bitcoin’s market dominance. In late June, Bitcoin dominance reached a two-year high of just over 52%6. However, it has since dropped back below 50% due to the altcoin rally driven by Ripple’s partial court victory7. Ripple’s court victory caused a temporary surge in altcoin prices, but most of the gains have already been lost, returning the market to its previous state8.

Although Bitcoin’s dominance has fluctuated, the total market capitalization remained relatively stable throughout the quarter, starting and ending at $1.2 trillion9. This stability reflects the overall market sentiment and the balance between Bitcoin’s dominance and the performance of altcoins. As of the time of writing, the total market capitalization remains at $1.2 trillion10.

The CoinGecko report highlights Bitcoin as the big winner for the period, with a gain of almost 7%11. Bitcoin has outperformed most major asset classes, with the exception of the NASDAQ and S&P50012. However, it is worth noting that the average daily trading volume for BTC declined by 58.7% compared to the previous quarter13. This decline in trading volume suggests a potential shift in investor behavior and market dynamics.

With most altcoins, aside from XRP, continuing to retreat at the moment, hopes for an early “altseason” are dwindling as Bitcoin remains the king of crypto14. This dominance reinforces Bitcoin’s position as the most established and widely recognized cryptocurrency. While altcoins may experience periods of growth and decline, Bitcoin’s stability and market dominance solidify its role as a key player in the blockchain industry.

In conclusion, the second quarter of 2023 has showcased Bitcoin’s strength and dominance in the cryptocurrency market. Despite the losses experienced by altcoins, Bitcoin has outperformed most major asset classes and maintained its position as the leading cryptocurrency. The stability of the total market capitalization further reinforces the overall sentiment within the blockchain industry. As the industry continues to evolve, it is essential to closely monitor the performance of Bitcoin and other altcoins, as they provide valuable insights into the dynamics and trends within the blockchain industry.


  1. CoinGecko. (2023). Crypto price returns Q2, 2023. Source: CoinGecko. Retrieved from https://s3.cointelegraph.com/uploads/2023-07/bef39704-3228-4f40-b9c1-d2f46d8bde7f.jpg↩︎

  2. CoinGecko. (2023). Crypto price returns Q2, 2023. Source: CoinGecko. Retrieved from https://s3.cointelegraph.com/uploads/2023-07/bef39704-3228-4f40-b9c1-d2f46d8bde7f.jpg↩︎

  3. CoinGecko. (2023). Crypto price returns Q2, 2023. Source: CoinGecko. Retrieved from https://s3.cointelegraph.com/uploads/2023-07/bef39704-3228-4f40-b9c1-d2f46d8bde7f.jpg↩︎

  4. CoinGecko. (2023). Crypto price returns Q2, 2023. Source: CoinGecko. Retrieved from https://s3.cointelegraph.com/uploads/2023-07/bef39704-3228-4f40-b9c1-d2f46d8bde7f.jpg↩︎

  5. CoinGecko. (2023). Crypto price returns Q2, 2023. Source: CoinGecko. Retrieved from https://s3.cointelegraph.com/uploads/2023-07/bef39704-3228-4f40-b9c1-d2f46d8bde7f.jpg↩︎

  6. CoinGecko. (2023). Crypto price returns Q2, 2023. Source: CoinGecko. Retrieved from https://s3.cointelegraph.com/uploads/2023-07/bef39704-3228-4f40-b9c1-d2f46d8bde7f.jpg↩︎

  7. CoinGecko. (2023). Crypto price returns Q2, 2023. Source: CoinGecko. Retrieved from https://s3.cointelegraph.com/uploads/2023-07/bef39704-3228-4f40-b9c1-d2f46d8bde7f.jpg↩︎

  8. CoinGecko. (2023). Crypto price returns Q2, 2023. Source: CoinGecko. Retrieved from https://s3.cointelegraph.com/uploads/2023-07/bef39704-3228-4f40-b9c1-d2f46d8bde7f.jpg↩︎

  9. CoinGecko. (2023). Crypto price returns Q2, 2023. Source: CoinGecko. Retrieved from https://s3.cointelegraph.com/uploads/2023-07/bef39704-3228-4f40-b9c1-d2f46d8bde7f.jpg↩︎

  10. CoinGecko. (2023). Crypto price returns Q2, 2023. Source: CoinGecko. Retrieved from https://s3.cointelegraph.com/uploads/2023-07/bef39704-3228-4f40-b9c1-d2f46d8bde7f.jpg↩︎

  11. CoinGecko. (2023). Crypto price returns Q2, 2023. Source: CoinGecko. Retrieved from https://s3.cointelegraph.com/uploads/2023-07/bef39704-3228-4f40-b9c1-d2f46d8bde7f.jpg↩︎

  12. CoinGecko. (2023). Crypto price returns Q2, 2023. Source: CoinGecko. Retrieved from https://s3.cointelegraph.com/uploads/2023-07/bef39704-3228-4f40-b9c1-d2f46d8bde7f.jpg↩︎

  13. CoinGecko. (2023). Crypto price returns Q2, 2023. Source: CoinGecko. Retrieved from https://s3.cointelegraph.com/uploads/2023-07/bef39704-3228-4f40-b9c1-d2f46d8bde7f.jpg↩︎

  14. CoinGecko. (2023). Crypto price returns Q2, 2023. Source: CoinGecko. Retrieved from https://s3.cointelegraph.com/uploads/2023-07/bef39704-3228-4f40-b9c1-d2f46d8bde7f.jpg↩︎