After a two-week crypto rally, Bitcoin is holding strong above $100K, but retail investors are still skeptical. In 2025, big institutions have been buying most of the Bitcoin, while retail investors have been selling. However, retail interest may pick up if Bitcoin breaks above $109,350.
According to Google Trends, retail interest in Bitcoin appears to be fading, with search trends for “Bitcoin” falling to levels last seen in June 2024, when BTC was trading around $66,000. Similarly, Coinbase has slipped to 15th in the US finance app rankings, a position it last held in mid-2024.
Retailers Missing Out on BTC Rally?
Historically, retail investors tend to buy later, right after major breakouts, often missing out on the early gains.
Analyst Sky Wee explains that Bitcoin was made to protect people from traditional banks and systems, and it stays “people’s money” as long as they keep holding it. Right now, more individuals are selling Bitcoin while big institutions are buying, which could make Bitcoin more controlled by the institutions.
He is concerned that Bitcoin could just become another tool for Wall Street. “Bitcoin doesn’t need Wall Street, but Wall Street needs Bitcoin,” he said.
Analyst Ali Martinez also shared a chart that shows Bitcoin’s long-term holders are moving from a phase of extreme optimism into potential “Belief” (expecting the bull run to continue) and “Denial” (fearing a potential market reversal) stage as prices surge above $100,000.
A Full-Fledged Altseason Next?
Bitcoin’s dominance is fading, which could bring altcoins back, especially if Ethereum beats Bitcoin at the 0.03 level. Ethereum is also down over 2% in the past day, currently trading at $2,552. After a 55% rally in the past week, a pullback is expected around $2,400.
Analysts have observed that market corrections can be volatile, but this doesn’t mean altcoins are dead or the market is over. These dips could be great buying opportunities.
As long as Bitcoin stays above $98K, the market remains healthy, altcoins have a chance to bounce back. Experts predict a full-blown altseason this June, with many altcoins already beating Bitcoin.
