Bitcoin‘s return to the $60,000 mark has dashed hopes for an altcoin bull market in 2025, deflating investor optimism. Historical cycles offer little reassurance, as noted by on-chain analyst Darkfost, who suggests the market could continue its sluggish pace for an extended period.
Is Bitcoin’s High Out of Reach for Altcoins?
Despite Bitcoin’s rise to unprecedented levels, altcoins have yet to experience the anticipated boom. New lows were set in 2024, marking a period of frustration for investors expecting continuous growth. Compounding the concerns, escalating tensions involving Iran pose risks to both traditional and cryptocurrency markets, which could suffer additional setbacks.
Will $72,500 Be a Stumbling Block or a Milestone?
Darkfost, focusing on the “Realized Price,” proposes this method as instrumental in identifying investor behavior. By filtering out older coins, a critical resistance level emerges at $72,500.
Darkfost explains, “This chart illustrates a cost basis that excludes coins older than seven years, offering a more accurate depiction of circulating supply. By filtering out lost BTC and coins held by permanent holders—commonly referred to as ‘diamond hands’—the revised Realized Price now hovers near $72,500, functioning as a significant resistance point.”
Despite multiple attempts over two months, Bitcoin has failed to surmount this barrier. Historical patterns indicate a trend of falling below the Realized Price during bear markets, suggesting current conditions may persist for six to ten months.
If historical patterns hold true, Bitcoin might remain under $72,500 for four to eight more months. This scenario hints at a potential recovery beginning late next summer, possibly extending the market’s sluggish phase until the final months of 2026.
Geopolitical and Economic Factors at Play
In the short term, anxieties over Iran’s geopolitical tensions preoccupy markets. The upcoming employment data release is being closely watched, although a significant deterioration that could influence Federal Reserve actions seems improbable. Simultaneously, high oil prices add another layer of complexity to economic forecasts.
Recent data depict liquidity pools forming at lower price ranges for Bitcoin. A trip below $62,000 might happen soon, with the $56,000 level potentially acting as a temporary support if market sell-offs intensify.
