Bitcoin Gains as Altcoins Falter in June 2025 Amid Institutional Inflows

In June 2025, Bitcoin (BTC) experienced a 3% increase, driven by significant Exchange Traded Product (ETP) inflows amounting to $4.5 billion, according to VanEck. This surge in Bitcoin contrasted sharply with the performance of altcoins, which saw a continued decline, deepening the divergence between Bitcoin and the broader cryptocurrency market.

Bitcoin's Rise Amid Market Volatility

The increase in Bitcoin's value underscores the growing institutional interest in the cryptocurrency, as opposed to the broader altcoin market, which continued its downward trajectory. The MarketVector Smart Contract Leaders Index (MVSCLE) fell by 5% during the same period, highlighting the underperformance of altcoins over the past 18 months.

Altcoin Performance

While Bitcoin managed to attract substantial institutional investment, altcoins such as Ethereum (ETH), Cardano (ADA), and Sui (SUI) faced significant losses. Ethereum fell by 2.79%, while Cardano and Sui decreased by 18% and 15%, respectively. The decline in altcoin performance reflects a broader trend of market fragility and investor caution.

Institutional Demand for Bitcoin

The institutional demand for Bitcoin was further evidenced by the purchasing activities of Bitcoin treasury firms, which added 68,000 BTC in June, more than offsetting the 13,500 BTC mined during the month. This steady absorption of Bitcoin by institutions has contributed to a reduction in Bitcoin's market volatility, which fell to 33%, its lowest since the summer of 2024.

Exchange Volumes and Market Dynamics

Centralized exchange (CEX) trading volumes decreased by 29% year-over-year, while decentralized exchange (DEX) volumes reached $332 billion, setting a new high in the DEX/CEX ratio. This shift highlights the evolving dynamics in the cryptocurrency trading landscape, with DEXs gaining significant traction.

Solana's Market Position

Solana (SOL) made significant strides with the launch of the REX-Osprey Solana + Staking ETF (SSK), trading $40 million on its first day. However, the fund operates as a fund-of-funds, holding a Cayman subsidiary that invests in SOL and participates in staking, rather than a traditional ETP. Despite its high expense ratio of 1.4%, this development marks a significant step forward for Solana in the ETP market.

Ethereum's Inflows and Stablecoin Activity

Ethereum (ETH) witnessed substantial inflows into its ETPs, totaling approximately $1.1 billion in June. This marks the second-largest monthly inflow since their inception in 2024, signaling renewed institutional interest in Ethereum. Additionally, stablecoin transactions accounted for 34% of Ethereum's network activity, driving network activity near all-time highs.

For further insights into the cryptocurrency market's performance in June 2025, visit the VanEck website.