Bitcoin Dominance Hits Two-Month High as Crypto Market Declines
The cryptocurrency markets succumbed to another mid-week slump on Wednesday, with the majority of top-tier coins posting minor declines. Meanwhile, Bitcoin dominance rose to a two-month high as investors continued to consolidate their holdings back into the flagship cryptocurrency. Source: CoinMarketCapAt present, the cryptocurrency market cap is valued at $452.4 billion, down from $459.6 billion on Tuesday. This represents a single-day decline of approximately two percent. Bitcoin Price Sinks After Brief Rally Past $11,000The Bitcoin price had entered the day on an upward trajectory, and it continued to ride this bullish wave past the $11,000 barrier, eventually rising as high as $11,065. However, Bitcoin met resistance at that mark, and before long, the Bitcoin price began to retrace. Ultimately, the Bitcoin price plunged more than $400 on Bitfinex and is currently trading at $10,599. This represents a single-day decline of about one percent and leaves Bitcoin with a $181.5 billion market cap. Bitcoin Price ChartDespite experiencing a minor pullback against the dollar, though, Bitcoin continued to rise against its peers. On Wednesday morning, Bitcoin dominance — the cryptocurrency’s share of the total market cap — hit 40 percent for the first time since late December, indicating that trader and investor capital is beginning to rotate back into the flagship cryptocurrency. Source: CoinMarketCapEthereum Price Tracks the IndexThe Ethereum price matched the index on Wednesday, falling two percent to $865 on Bitfinex after briefly testing $900 the previous day. At present, Ethereum has an $85.3 billion market cap, which translates into an 18.6 percent market share. Ethereum Price ChartEOS, IOTA Swim Against the CurrentThe altcoin markets were characterized by widespread declines, but two large-cap tokens managed to swim against the current. Altcoin Price ChartRipple, the third-largest cryptocurrency by circulating market cap, posted a three percent decline, reducing its price to $0.90. Bitcoin Cash, ranked fourth, was hit with a four percent pullback that forced its price down to $1,225. Litecoin — the only top-tier coin to decline on Tuesday — deepened its retreat on Wednesday. At present, the Litecoin price is valued at $210, representing a daily decline of four percent. NEO engaged in a similar movement, declining four percent to $134, while Cardano and Stellar each performed slightly worse, posting 24-hour declines of five percent and six percent, respectively. Two top-tier cryptocurrencies, however, managed to rise against the dollar even amid the general market decline. EOS, ranked seventh, rose three percent to $8.62, while IOTA, ranked 10th, rose one-half-of-one percent to $1.90. Featured image from Shutterstock