Bitcoin’s Grip Loosens: Market Expert Says Dominance Has Hit Its Ceiling

Christian Encila

5 months ago

3 mins read

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Raoul Pal, Real Vision founder and prominent trading name, stated on Wednesday that the dominance of Bitcoin may have topped this cycle.

In an X post, Pal said that DeMark Indicators’ signals point toward the potential that a change is imminent after several months of Bitcoin at the top of the market. Pal noted that daily, weekly, and monthly charts all are flashing top signals on Bitcoin dominance.

Bitcoin dominance is now at nearly 65%, a figure that has increased steadily since December 2024. Despite this growth, it is still yet to reach the 2021 high of 74%, or the 2017 high previously. This, according to Pal, indicates a weakening trend in the percentage of the crypto market dominated by Bitcoin over time.

DeMark Tops Flash Warning Signs

Pal relied on technical analysis tools called DeMark Indicators, developed by market veteran Tom DeMark. They are used to identify when a trend could be losing momentum. Although Pal didn’t specifically state what the exact signals were that he watched for, one of the TD Sequential’s functions is to find turning points like this.

I think BTC dominance topped today. There are daily, weekly and monthly DeMark tops in place and the top is well below 2021 top and that was below the 2017 top.

If that plays out, it is the hallmark of the next phase of the Banana Zone. Let’s see…

— Raoul Pal (@RaoulGMI) May 8, 2025

Currently, Bitcoin is over 6% higher since the beginning of 2025 and has just reclaimed the $103k level. The coin is slowly making its way toward the $105,000 threshold. But while Bitcoin is going higher, most other cryptocurrencies have not been able to keep pace.

Altcoins Have Fallen Behind

Statistics indicate that the TOTAL2 index, which captures the value of the crypto market excluding Bitcoin, has fallen by almost 20% this year. It declined from $1.34 trillion to $1.07 trillion. This difference between Bitcoin and the rest of the market has contributed to increasing Bitcoin’s dominance. If Pal’s analysis is correct, this difference will soon begin to narrow.

BTC is now trading at $103,589. Chart: TradingView

He thinks that as soon as Bitcoin dominance reaches a peak, money may begin entering altcoins. Traders usually move their focus from Bitcoin to smaller coins as soon as they feel the top coin has gotten its run out. That’s what happened before, and Pal believes the same may occur.

The Banana Zone Theory

Pal also mentioned what he refers to as the “Banana Zone.” It’s his terminology for a period where prices accelerate in a sharp, curved trajectory — sort of like a banana. He divides this into three stages. Phase one, he says, began in November 2024, when the prices of crypto started to break out.

Now he believes we’re entering phase two, which he calls the “Banana Singularity.” That’s the part where altcoins start rising faster than Bitcoin, as more investors start hunting for bigger gains in riskier coins. This is usually when people start seeing major moves across smaller tokens.

Altcoin Season May Be On The Way

Pal’s message is crystal clear: Bitcoin’s time at the top may be slowing down. If the technical indicators are correct, altcoins may soon be taking center stage. It wouldn’t be the first time. In previous bull runs, capital rotated out of Bitcoin and into altcoins as the top coin’s dominance tailed off.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Christian Encila

They say journalists never truly clock out. But for Christian, that's not just a metaphor, it's a lifestyle. By day, he navigates the ever-shifting tides of the cryptocurrency market, wielding words like a seasoned editor and crafting articles that decipher the jargon for the masses. When the PC goes on hibernate mode, however, his pursuits take a more mechanical (and sometimes philosophical) turn.

Christian's journey with the written word began long before the age of Bitcoin. In the hallowed halls of academia, he honed his craft as a feature writer for his college paper. This early love for storytelling paved the way for a successful stint as an editor at a data engineering firm, where his first-month essay win funded a months-long supply of doggie and kitty treats – a testament to his dedication to his furry companions (more on that later).

Christian then roamed the world of journalism, working at newspapers in Canada and even South Korea. He finally settled down at a local news giant in his hometown in the Philippines for a decade, becoming a total news junkie. But then, something new caught his eye: cryptocurrency. It was like a treasure hunt mixed with storytelling - right up his alley!

So, he landed a killer gig at NewsBTC, where he's one of the go-to guys for all things crypto. He breaks down this confusing stuff into bite-sized pieces, making it easy for anyone to understand (he salutes his management team for teaching him this skill).

Think Christian's all work and no play? Not a chance! When he's not at his computer, you'll find him indulging his passion for motorbikes. A true gearhead, Christian loves tinkering with his bike and savoring the joy of the open road on his 320-cc Yamaha R3. Once a speed demon who hit 120mph (a feat he vowed never to repeat), he now prefers leisurely rides along the coast, enjoying the wind in his thinning hair.

Speaking of chill, Christian's got a crew of furry friends waiting for him at home. Two cats and a dog. He swears cats are way smarter than dogs (sorry, Grizzly), but he adores them all anyway. Apparently, watching his pets just chillin’ helps him analyze and write meticulously formatted articles even better.

Here's the thing about this guy: He works a lot, but he keeps himself fueled by enough coffee to make it through the day - and some seriously delicious (Filipino) food. He says a delectable meal is the secret ingredient to a killer article. And after a long day of crypto crusading, he unwinds with some rum (mixed with milk) while watching slapstick movies.

Looking ahead, Christian sees a bright future with NewsBTC. He says he sees himself privileged to be part of an awesome organization, sharing his expertise and passion with a community he values, and fellow editors - and bosses - he deeply respects.

So, the next time you tread into the world of cryptocurrency, remember the man behind the words – the crypto crusader, the grease monkey, and the feline philosopher, all rolled into one.

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