20-8-2025 – The CMC Altcoin Season Index fell to 45 on August 20, indicating that only 45 of the top 100 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization have outperformed Bitcoin over the past 90 days, according to CoinMarketCap. This marks a decline from a recent low of 29 on August 11, suggesting a slight uptick in altcoin momentum but still far from a full altcoin season.
The Altcoin Season Index, a real-time gauge of market trends, defines an altcoin season when at least 75% of top altcoins surpass Bitcoin’s performance. The current reading of 45 reflects a market still favoring Bitcoin, with its dominance holding steady around 59% as institutional interest and ETF inflows continue to bolster its position. Despite recent gains in altcoins like Ethereum and Cardano, the broader altcoin market struggles to gain sustained traction, with trading volumes indicating cautious investor sentiment.
This pullback in the index follows a volatile period for cryptocurrencies, driven by macroeconomic factors and regulatory uncertainty. Analysts note that altcoins often thrive when Bitcoin consolidates, but the current market lacks the catalysts needed for a decisive shift. Ethereum’s ecosystem, buoyed by DeFi and Layer-2 advancements, shows promise but has not yet sparked widespread altcoin rallies.
