Bitcoin Breaks $81K: BTC Dominance Tops 61% as Altcoins Show Early Signs of Recovery

Table of Contents Bitcoin has broken above the $81,000 mark, recording a gain of roughly 36% since its February 6 low. At the same time, BTC market dominance has climbed past 61.3%, returning to levels not seen since November 2025. Capital flows remain concentrated in Bitcoin for now. However, early data from altcoin markets suggests that conditions may be gradually shifting. Several technical and volume indicators point to a slow but measurable recovery in the broader market. Bitcoin’s dominance crossing 61.3% is a notable development in the current market cycle. It shows that investors continue to favor BTC over smaller digital assets. This level was last observed in November 2025, making the return to it a meaningful reference point. Crypto analyst Darkfost noted on X that BTC’s dominance “has now exceeded 61.3%, returning to levels last seen in November 2025.” The analyst added that this reflects capital flows remaining largely concentrated in Bitcoin. The pattern aligns with historical behavior, where BTC absorbs liquidity during periods of market uncertainty. 🗞️ BTC breaks $81K as dominance rises, but altcoins show early stabilization. BTC has just broken above the $81,000 level, posting a gain of around 36% since its February 6 low. Beyond price action, its market dominance is moving in the same direction. 📈 It has now exceeded… pic.twitter.com/jGkdhQkgF8 — Darkfost (@Darkfost_Coc) May 6, 2026 Meanwhile, the TOTAL3 index, which tracks altcoin performance excluding Bitcoin and Ethereum, is still up about 15% from the February 6 low. That gain, while modest, indicates that altcoins have not fully collapsed during this same period. It points to a market that is consolidating rather than declining sharply. This distinction between BTC dominance rising and altcoins still posting modest gains is worth noting. Both trends can coexist during transitional market phases. Traders and analysts closely watch such conditions for early signs of capital rotation. One of the more telling data points involves the 200-day moving average. As of the latest readings, 11.7% of altcoins listed on Binance have reclaimed this key technical level. That compares to just 2.3% on February 6, a notable improvement over roughly two months. Darkfost described this as an “initial signal of recovery,” pointing out that it “breaks the downtrend in place since October 2025.” While the overall percentage remains low, the directional shift is what draws attention. A rising number of altcoins clearing their 200-day moving averages often precedes broader market stabilization. Trading volumes for altcoins on Binance also reflect a gradual shift. Their share relative to combined BTC and ETH volumes has moved from 31% to 49% over the past two months. That 18-percentage-point increase reflects a slow return of investor interest in the altcoin segment. Taken together, these data points suggest that the altcoin market is beginning to attract renewed attention. The trend remains moderate and has not yet reached a level that would confirm a full rotation phase. Still, the combination of more altcoins above their 200-day moving averages and recovering trading volumes makes this a market condition worth tracking carefully going forward.