- Most altcoins fall 90% against Bitcoin within 10–20 months.
- Survivorship bias hides deeper altcoin losses relative to Bitcoin.
Altcoins continue to struggle compared to Bitcoin’s performance. New analysis shows that they don’t just lag, they often collapse. Investors tracking altcoin trends face steep drawdowns within a short time. This systemic issue calls into question the long-term viability of most altcoins.
Source: Swan
A comprehensive five-year review of the top 300 altcoins in BTC terms revealed sharp losses across the board. The study focused on how quickly each coin dropped 90% from its all-time high. Results showed that most altcoins reached that point within 10 to 20 months.
In the worst cases, like LUNA1, ONG, and BRISE, that decline happened in only two months. While rare, a few exceptions took longer—Monero (XMR) needed 72 months, and Litecoin (LTC) lasted 69 months before hitting the same drop. These were outliers in a broader trend of accelerated decline.
More familiar names didn’t fare much better. Quant (QTUM) took 17 months to suffer a 90% loss. Polygon (MATIC) followed closely at 23 months, while Internet Computer (ICP) hit the mark at 24 months. Cardano (ADA) and XRP each lasted 36 months before dropping this severely. Despite different timelines, the result was essentially the same: dramatic underperformance when measured against Bitcoin.
The data also showed that 45 altcoins have not yet fallen by 90% in BTC terms. However, analysts noted this does not indicate strength. Instead, these coins have lost value more slowly.
On average, these altcoins still posted a 76% drawdown. The best-performing coin in this group was down 43%, highlighting that even “survivors” aren’t truly gaining ground. Analysts attributed this skewed perception to survivorship bias, which hides the full scale of decline.
Ultimately, the data reinforces Bitcoin’s dominance as a store of value. While altcoins are abundant and diverse, their long-term outperformance is rare. Most face accelerated declines and systemic decay. Survival in the market does not equal success.
Source: Coinmarketcap
As Bitcoin rises, with a price of $93,931.75 at the time of this writing, the performance gap widens. Altcoin investors face the harsh reality of a market that rarely rewards longevity without real strength.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. CoinCryptoNewz is not responsible for any losses incurred. Readers should do their own research before making financial decisions.
