Rise In Altcoin Dominance Suggests Alts Are About To Outperform Bitcoin Again

bitcoinistPublished on 2026-02-19Last updated on 2026-02-19

Abstract

The OTHERS D chart, which tracks the crypto market excluding the top 10 cryptocurrencies, indicates a potential shift in capital flow from Bitcoin and large-cap assets toward altcoins. After months of Bitcoin's relative strength, technical analysis suggests altcoins may soon outperform. The dominance metric for smaller-cap cryptocurrencies has risen from below 5% at the start of 2026 to approximately 7.6%, approaching a key descending resistance trendline. A breakout above this level, particularly the 7.5%–8% zone—a historical support and resistance area—could confirm a sustained altcoin rally. While Bitcoin’s current dominance stands at 58.1%, a decisive move above resistance in altcoin dominance may signal the beginning of an altcoin season, with major tokens like Ethereum, Solana, and XRP expected to post stronger gains relative to Bitcoin.

The OTHERS D chart, which tracks the crypto market cap excluding the top 10 cryptocurrencies, is showing signs of a rotation away from Bitcoin and other large market cap cryptos. After months of Bitcoin holding relative strength, new technical analysis is implying that the balance could tilt in favor of the altcoin market very soon.

Biweekly Breakout Signals Shift In Momentum

Technical analysis of the crypto market capitalization is showing a developing shift in capital flows, particularly into altcoins outside the top 10 by total market value. Major names like Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, and Solana have struggled through a period of price weakness, leading to smaller-cap cryptocurrencies quietly gaining relative ground. This subtle rotation has not necessarily translated into explosive price rallies yet, but it has shown up clearly in dominance metrics.

This quiet change in dominance is reflected in the OTHERS D index. At the beginning of 2026, dominance was sitting below the 5% mark. Since then, however, the metric has steadily climbed, recently pushing above 7%. The latest biweekly candlestick now places dominance at approximately 7.6%, bringing it right up against a descending resistance trendline that capped a previous breakout attempt.

Interestingly, this move has occurred in tandem with a break above a downward-sloping resistance trendline in the Relative Strength Index (RSI). This trend was also noted on the social media platform X by a crypto analyst that goes by the name RickUntZ.

Source: Chart from RickUntZ on X

As noted by the analyst, the most recent biweekly confirmed breakout in trend on altcoin dominance. Dominance appears to have formed a higher low off the multi-year support band on the chart, followed by a push upward that challenges overhead resistance.

The horizontal zone around 7.5% to 8% has repeatedly served as both support and resistance for years. In terms of resistance, each prior reclaim of this region has preceded extended periods where altcoins gained ground against Bitcoin.

Watch Resistance For Confirmation

Despite the improving structure, the resistance mentioned above is still in play. This resistance is notable because the altcoin dominance was rejected somewhere here in the second half of 2025. However, according to the analyst, the 3-week trend is already looking really good.

At the time of writing, Bitcoin has a market dominance of 58.1%. A decisive Bitcoin breakout could cause the OTHERS D to dwindle a bit longer, but the expectation is that alts will still outperform BTC regardless. Once this level of dominance is taken, then it would confirm on all major time frames for the next couple of months when the altcoin niche is expected to outperform Bitcoin.

Such a move would align with the altcoin season where large-cap altcoins such as Ethereum, Solana, and XRP would also post stronger percentage gains relative to Bitcoin.

Overall market cap excluding BTC at $957 billiion | Source: TOTAL2 on Tradingview.com

Trending Cryptos

Related Questions

QWhat does the OTHERS D chart track and what is it currently suggesting about the crypto market?

AThe OTHERS D chart tracks the total market capitalization of the cryptocurrency market excluding the top 10 cryptocurrencies. It is currently suggesting a rotation of capital away from Bitcoin and other large market cap cryptocurrencies and into smaller altcoins.

QWhat key resistance level is the altcoin dominance (OTHERS D) currently challenging, according to the article?

AThe altcoin dominance is currently challenging a descending resistance trendline around the 7.5% to 8% level, a horizontal zone that has historically acted as both support and resistance.

QWhat technical indicator, besides price, also showed a breakout that supports the shift in altcoin dominance?

AThe Relative Strength Index (RSI) also broke above a downward-sloping resistance trendline, which occurred in tandem with the move in the OTHERS D chart.

QAccording to the analyst RickUntZ, what pattern did altcoin dominance form on the chart before its recent push upward?

AAccording to analyst RickUntZ, altcoin dominance formed a higher low off a multi-year support band on the chart before its recent push upward to challenge overhead resistance.

QWhat is the expected outcome for large-cap altcoins like Ethereum, Solana, and XRP if the resistance on the OTHERS D chart is decisively broken?

AIf the resistance is decisively broken, it is expected to confirm a period where the altcoin niche, including large-cap coins like Ethereum, Solana, and XRP, will outperform Bitcoin by posting stronger percentage gains.

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