According to Benjamin Cowen, one of crypto’s most respected analysts with over 700,000 YouTube subscribers, most crypto investors are chasing altcoins while the smart money is doing something completely different. Here’s what the data reveals about the current market—and how to position yourself for maximum gains.
The Bitcoin Dominance Signal Everyone’s Missing
Bitcoin dominance just hit a four-year high at 63%—the highest since 2021. This isn’t just a random statistic; it’s a massive market signal that most retail investors are ignoring.
When Bitcoin dominance rises, it means one thing: money is flowing OUT of altcoins and INTO Bitcoin. Since late 2022, this trend has been relentless, surprising even bullish analysts.
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Why Altcoin Season Isn’t Coming (Yet)
Everyone’s waiting for “alt season”—that magical time when small cryptocurrencies explode 10x or more. But here’s the hard truth: alt season requires specific conditions that don’t exist right now.
Historical alt seasons (2017, 2021) occurred during periods of loose monetary policy. Today, we’re in the opposite environment—quantitative tightening and higher interest rates. Until the Federal Reserve pivots, Bitcoin will likely continue dominating.
The Math: For alt season to begin, altcoin-to-Bitcoin pairs need to drop another 25% to reach their “range lows.” We’re not there yet.
The Fed Connection Most Investors Don’t Understand
Here’s what crypto YouTube won’t tell you: cryptocurrency markets are heavily influenced by Federal Reserve policy.
- Tight money policy = investors choose “safer” crypto assets (Bitcoin)
- Loose money policy = investors chase higher-risk altcoins
Currently, we’re in a tight money environment, which explains why Bitcoin keeps outperforming despite altcoin investors’ frustration.
The Smart Money Portfolio Strategy
Based on current risk-adjusted returns, here’s how the pros are positioned:
Current Optimal Allocation:
- 83% Bitcoin
- 17% Ethereum
Why This Works:
- Bitcoin acts as the “safe haven” within crypto
- Ethereum bridges Bitcoin and altcoins, offering upside with less risk
- Altcoins remain too risky given current macro conditions
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When Alt Season Might Actually Happen
The analysis points to November as the earliest potential alt season, but only if:
- Monetary policy begins shifting
- Retail interest returns (currently “incredibly low”)
- Altcoin pairs hit their range lows
The Meme Coin Trap
Reality check: Meme coins are short-term speculation, not investments. Capital constantly rotates between different meme coin ecosystems, but ultimately “bleeds back to Bitcoin.”
If you’re trading memes, plan your exit within weeks or months, not years.
Key Indicators to Watch
The 200-Week Signal: This historical Bitcoin cycle indicator is expected to trigger within 6-12 months, potentially marking the next bear market in 2026.
Social Risk: Crypto engagement is at extreme lows despite Bitcoin’s high price. Alt season needs retail excitement to fuel rallies.
The Bigger Picture: Digital Gold Rush
Western investors are abandoning traditional safe havens for Bitcoin:
- Bitcoin ETFs: $5 billion in inflows last month
- Gold ETFs: $1.5 billion in outflows last month
This generational shift supports Bitcoin’s long-term value proposition.
What to Do Right Now
Immediate Actions:
- Rebalance toward Bitcoin if you’re altcoin-heavy
- Use any Q3 2025 weakness as a buying opportunity
- Keep some capital ready for potential November altcoin opportunities
- Stop chasing meme coins without exit strategies
What to Avoid:
- Fighting the current trend by overweighting altcoins
- Emotional decisions based on short-term price movements
- Expecting immediate alt season without the right macro conditions
The Bottom Line
While most investors chase the next 100x altcoin, the smart money understands market cycles. Bitcoin dominance is telling you exactly what to do—but only if you’re listening.
The current environment rewards patience and proper positioning. Position for today’s reality, not yesterday’s dreams.
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