rewrite this title Bitcoin Tightens Grip On Crypto Market Amid 50% Altcoin Slump

Markets are tilting back toward the oldest cryptocurrency. Prices have found a busy band between $65,000 and $72,000. Trading in that range has become a focal point for big players and long holders. Some traders are piling in. Others are stepping aside.

Trading Volume Rotation

According to exchange figures, Bitcoin’s share of trades has climbed while many altcoins have lost ground. Reports say Bitcoin made up close to 37% of total trading on a recent snapshot, with a chunk of the market now shifting away from smaller tokens.

Ethereum still holds a large piece at roughly 28%, but the combined altcoin share has fallen sharply from late last year, down from roughly 59% to levels near 35%. That drop looks large on the charts. It shows money moving back to the most familiar asset.

Altcoin Volumes Shrink by 50% as Capital Rotates Back to Bitcoin

“This pattern has appeared repeatedly during previous corrective phases, including April 2025, August 2024, and October 2022 near the end of the bear market.” – By @Darkfost_Coc

Link ⤵️https://t.co/B0ZFeiMukl pic.twitter.com/jVRTOkaTic

— CryptoQuant.com (@cryptoquant_com) February 18, 2026

The Price Band That Draws Attention

Large orders and institutional flow have gravitated to the mentioned price band. Whales and long-term holders are active there; accumulation and sales are both visible. Some of the activity appears to be profit-taking after strong runs.

Some moves are defensive, as traders favor the perceived safety of the oldest coin when the broader market feels uncertain. Liquidity concentrates where market participants expect it. When that happens, price swings can be sharper on one side than the other.

What Market Caps And Dominance Reveal

Reports note Bitcoin’s market cap has slipped from near $1.55 trillion to about $1.34 trillion over recent weeks, while many altcoins saw much smaller declines in total market value.

The shift in volume does not always match market cap changes, but it is meaningful: more trading in Bitcoin means more attention and faster price discovery for that asset.

Dominance readings have edged down slightly over a short window, yet Bitcoin remains the most traded token on major platforms. Historical patterns show capital rotating into Bitcoin during corrections, and this cycle fits that mold.

Why Traders Are Watching

Some traders expect stability to return if Bitcoin holds its current range. Others warn that heavy concentration of orders can produce sudden pressure when sentiment flips.

The movement out of altcoins may create missed opportunities for selective buyers, but it also compresses risk for those who prefer a single market leader. Market watchers will be watching volume flows and order books closely over the next sessions.

Bitcoin Reclaims The Spotlight

Based on reports, Bitcoin has reasserted itself as the main focus of crypto trading for now. Short-term behavior will depend on whether buyers in the $65,000–$72,000 zone keep adding or whether selling pressure builds and forces a wider move.

Either way, the rotation away from many altcoins is clear, and traders are recalibrating where they place their bets.

Featured image from Pexels, chart from TradingView

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