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▲ Bitcoin (BTC), Altcoin/ChatGPT generated image
Bitcoin (BTC) showed relatively strong defense against major altcoins during the market stress period from October 2025 to April 2026. During the six months of macroeconomic instability and liquidity contraction, Ethereum (ETH), XRP, BNB, and Solana (SOL) recorded deeper declines, and funds repeatedly flowed back into Bitcoin, analysis showed.
On May 11 (local time), Cryptopotato reported how Bitcoin and major altcoins endured the market stress period from October 2025 to April 2026, citing a comparative analysis by XWIN Japan. The analysis explained that the downturn during this period was not merely a fear-driven sell-off, but rather closer to an 'internal selection' process where investors differentiated between Bitcoin and altcoins amidst macroeconomic pressure and liquidity contraction.
According to XWIN Japan data, Bitcoin fell by 52.5% from a peak of approximately $126,000 to approximately $60,000 during the period. Although the absolute decline was significant, it showed the strongest defense among the compared assets. In contrast, Solana plummeted by 71.6% from $238 to $67, recording the largest decline. Ethereum and XRP each fell by 63%, and BNB dropped by 59%.
In terms of recovery rates after the low, Solana showed the strongest rebound at 38%. Bitcoin recovered by 34.7%, recording the second-highest rebound rate. XWIN Japan divided the six-month period into a derivatives-led liquidation phase at the end of 2025, a macroeconomic fear and liquidity contraction phase in early 2026, and an institution-led recovery phase in the spring of this year.
The analysis concluded that Bitcoin's relative strength was not accidental. ETF capital inflows, corporate treasury asset inclusion, and geopolitical hedge demand were presented as key factors that supported Bitcoin even during periods of increased selling pressure. XWIN Japan stated that capital continuously flowed back to Bitcoin even during market stress periods, evaluating Bitcoin as having established itself as a global macro asset beyond being a mere cryptocurrency token.
Despite robust network activity, Ethereum's price fell significantly. According to the analysis, Ethereum's staking growth, Layer 2 usage, and stablecoin settlement activity remained strong during the correction period, but its price dropped from approximately $4,700 to below $1,800. XRP's relative performance was mainly linked to cross-border payment themes, regulatory narratives, and ETF expectations, while BNB showed a relatively stable trend due to internal activities within the Binance ecosystem.
Asset-specific differences continued in current price trends as well. According to the article, Bitcoin traded at approximately $81,000, up 11% from a month ago. Ethereum was around $2,300, up approximately 4% monthly, and XRP traded near $1.45, up approximately 7.5% during the same period. Solana traded at approximately $95, up over 12% in the last month and approximately 12% in the last week.
Cryptopotato reported that during the correction period from late 2025 to spring 2026, Bitcoin showed a lower decline rate and a strong capital return flow compared to major altcoins. The market stress phase was summarized as a period that simultaneously revealed Bitcoin's macro asset nature and the high volatility of major altcoins.
*Disclaimer: This article is for investment reference only, and we are not responsible for any investment losses based on it. The content should be interpreted for informational purposes only.*
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