Ethereum’s price jumped nearly 50% this past month. That kind of surge usually whispers of a bull market warming up across the board. 

But a closer look at the digital asset landscape suggests something different. Big money, the kind that moves markets, isn’t spreading its bets wide. 

Instead, it’s zeroing in on a few familiar names. This growing crypto market concentration is reshaping investment patterns, according to a new market analysis.

Javier Rodriguez-Alarcon, chief investment officer at XBTO, a global digital asset firm, sees a shift. He brings a background from traditional finance giants like Goldman Sachs, BlackRock, and Barclays to the crypto world. 

He believes the recent Ethereum rally isn’t just hopeful retail investors piling in. “Ethereum’s rally isn’t just a retail bounce,” Rodriguez-Alarcon said in a note shared with The Shib Daily. 

“It’s a direct response to structural access points like ETFs opening up.” He pointed to a $110 million inflow into these products mid-week as evidence that institutional demand is “finally materializing through familiar channels.”

Bitcoin, too, has seen its own drama. Recent price dips weren’t a sign of collapse, Rodriguez-Alarcon argued. 

Instead, “Bitcoin’s pullback was a healthy flush.” He explained that two sharp sell-offs cleared out excessive borrowing. 

And then, long-term investors stepped in. Their holdings climbed past $28 billion. “That’s conviction, not retreat,” he said.

This conviction, however, appears highly selective, leading to the current crypto market concentration. “We’re seeing a concentration of conviction,” Rodriguez-Alarcon stated. 

He noted that just six digital tokens now make up 90% of a key market index. Bitcoin alone accounts for a hefty 71% of that. 

It’s a sign, he believes, that investors are maturing. “Capital is no longer chasing narratives,” he said. “It’s being deployed where infrastructure exists.”

The market is also starting to react more like traditional financial markets as these larger assets gain prominence. Big economic news now sends ripples through crypto. Rodriguez-Alarcon mentioned a recent tariff scare and the subsequent policy reversal. 

These events “had a clear ripple effect, confirming Bitcoin’s growing integration into broader financial markets,” he said. But this focused interest means not everyone is invited to the party. 

Smaller, less established tokens are finding themselves on the sidelines. “This isn’t a rising tide moment for the market,” Rodriguez-Alarcon cautioned. 

While momentum is strong for the big players, “small-cap tokens are being left behind.” The reasons? Investors are increasingly prioritizing assets with clear regulatory standing and deep pools of liquidity. 

This narrows their focus, further cementing the trend of crypto market concentration and leaving the rest to wait.

Yona has no crypto positions and does not hold any crypto assets. This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The Shib Daily is an official media and publication of the Shiba Inu cryptocurrency project. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decisions.

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