• 2025 could be Bitcoin’s mainstream breakthrough with more adoption.
• Despite dips, the market remains strong with ongoing bullish momentum.
• Altcoins surged in December but have cooled down, showing solid but reduced activity.

2025 is shaping up to be the year Bitcoin truly goes mainstream, with increasing adoption from both governments and companies. But right now, in January, the market is experiencing dips. While there’s excitement about the Trump administration’s approach to crypto, some experts warn that many banks will still be hesitant to take on the risk of dealing with crypto.

Strong Bull Run Despite Recent Dips

Alice Liu, CoinMarketCap’s Research Lead, joined Scott Melker and explained that the coins are still riding a strong bull run, even though the market has experienced some pullbacks. She said that a new index tracking the top 100 cryptocurrencies launched in December, showed that the market’s overall strength remains unaffected despite these small dips.

Liu predicts strong demand and sustained buying pressure could make 2025 a breakout year for Bitcoin. Concerns over global economic events or a recession may influence price movements but national adoption can act as the major catalyst to drive its value even higher.

Altcoin Season: Where Do We Stand?

The Research Lead said that in December, the market saw a strong altcoin season, with the index (CMC Altcoin Season Index) hitting 87, meaning a true altcoin surge. 

This index measures the performance of the top 100 cryptocurrencies relative to Bitcoin. If 75% of these coins outperform Bitcoin, then it means that the market is in full altcoin season. Currently, the index sits at 46, meaning the altcoin season has cooled off a bit, but the market is still showing signs of strong altcoin activity.

Crypto’s Divide: Speculative Coins vs Utility Projects

Liu explains that crypto projects fall into two categories: utility-driven coins like XRP, XLM, and ADA, and speculative “casino coins” such as meme coins, that attract gamblers.

While the speculative side will always exist, the real winners in the next cycle will be the solid, utility-driven projects like XRP, XLM and ADA. Lie also believed that AI and blockchain technologies could bridge decentralization and real-world applications, driving long-term growth even after the hype wanes.