In crypto, price alone doesn’t tell the full story.
If you want to know when the altcoin market is ready to run, or when it’s about to bleed out… you need to understand the two most important macro charts:
- Dominio de Bitcoin ($BTC.D)
- Total Crypto Market Cap Excluding BTC & ETH ($TOTAL3)
Together, they create a balancing act that determines the flow of capital across the entire crypto ecosystem. And if you’ve ever FOMO’d into an altcoin bag right before it dumped — this post will explain exactly why.
Let’s break it down EPIQ-style 👇
📊 What Is Bitcoin Dominance ($BTC.D)?
Bitcoin Dominance tracks Bitcoin’s market cap share compared to the entire crypto market.
- When $BTC.D rises, it means money is flowing en Bitcoin at a faster rate than other coins.
- When $BTC.D drops, money is flowing into altcoins — signaling the start (or continuation) of temporada altcoin.
High dominance = conservative sentiment
Low dominance = risk-on altcoin euphoria
📈 What Is $TOTAL3 and Why It Matters
$TOTAL3 tracks the entire crypto market cap excluding Bitcoin and Ethereum.
It’s basically a gauge of how much money is flowing into altcoins only.
When $TOTAL3 goes up, it means altcoins are gaining value — regardless of what Bitcoin is doing.
💡 Pro tip: This chart is your altcoin health meter.
⚖️ The Balancing Act: How These Two Charts Signal Market Rotation
🔄 Altcoin Season Scenario
- $BTC.D goes down
- $TOTAL3 goes up
This is the golden setup. Bitcoin dominance is falling, and capital is rotating into altcoins.
You’ll see explosive rallies in midcaps and memes, especially in ecosystems like Solana, Base, Arbitrum, and Avalanche.
This is the classic “altcoin season”.
🛑 Risk-Off or Retracement Scenario
- $BTC.D goes up
- $TOTAL3 goes down
This is the warning zone. Money is leaving altcoins and rotating back into Bitcoin.
It often happens after an extended altcoin rally, when traders start to de-risk and move back into BTC as a safe haven.
Expect across-the-board retracements, slower altcoin bounces, and reduced liquidity in smaller caps.
😐 Neutral Chop Scenario
- Both $BTC.D and $TOTAL3 move sideways
No clear trend. These are the times when altcoins underperform, sentiment is mixed, and liquidity is often trapped in short-term rotations.
Stay nimble and wait for confirmation.
🧠 How to Use This as a Trader
📍 If $BTC.D is trending down and $TOTAL3 is breaking resistance:
→ Load altcoins with strong structure and high volume. Focus on narratives (AI, DePIN, gaming, L2s).
📍 If $BTC.D is pumping hard and $TOTAL3 is bleeding:
→ Exit weak alts, rotate into BTC or cash. Preserve capital.
📍 If both charts look bullish:
→ Ride momentum. Full market is in growth mode.
📍 If both look bearish:
→ Sit on the sidelines. Wait for confirmation.
🚀 Want to Master Market Rotation Like This?
Dentro de la Parqué EPIQenseñamos:
✅ How to use $BTC.D, $TOTAL3, ETH/BTC and other market internals to time altcoin cycles
✅ How to spot sector rotations early (before everyone else notices)
✅ How to build a rotation-based portfolio that adapts to shifting macro conditions
✅ Lifetime access + 3-day free trial + private Discord
👉 Únase hoy al parqué de EPIQ and start trading like you’ve actually read the room.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This post is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice. Cryptocurrency markets are volatile. Always do your own research and consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
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