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We're not that far into March but it's already shaping up to be one of the most disruptive months on record in the crypto industry. Ethereum, the multi-functional altcoin that's long been playing second fiddle to Bitcoin, has finally knocked the dominant coin from its throne.
Does this mark the beginnings of an altcoin takeover?
The Story So Far...
Over the past few weeks, the value of ETH has been on the rise. This culminated on March 8th, as the token hit $3450 at 10.00 am UTC --- officially outperforming BTC in the process. While the leading altcoin enjoyed a 2.5% increase across a 24-hour period, the world's first crypto coin only grew by 0.5%. As a result, trading volume for Ethereum surged to $18.7 billion, which reflected a substantial 15% increase.
Altcoins (a term encompassing all decentralized tokens other than Bitcoin) have historically played a secondary role in the crypto market. However, their more mature infrastructures mean they have expanded utility, giving these tokens more functionality and a broader appeal than BTC. This hasn't always been reflected in the market, though.
This shift in interest, however, indicates that we might just be on the cusp of major industry transformation.
Altcoin 101
If your interests in tech sectors lie more in hardware or advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence, you'd be forgiven for not knowing stablecoins from memecoins! Just as the technologies that make up XR (Extended Reality) are all unique and distinct, so too are the numerous altcoins that populate this sector.
As we mentioned above, the term altcoins is a catch-all for cryptocurrencies other than Bitcoin. They emerged in parallel with functional blockchain projects to address the limitations of 'digital gold' --- of which, surprisingly, there are many...
dApps (decentralized applications), for instance, thrive on altcoins and their associated chains. Similarly, DeFi and GameFi projects are largely supported and facilitated by Ethereum, Polygon, and BNB Smartchain. You'll even see a larger presence of altcoin usage in the digital gaming and iGaming sectors, especially in platforms that offer crypto slots and other casino games.
iGaming, which encompasses online gambling games such as slots, poker, roulette, and blackjack, etc., was actually one of the first gaming sectors to integrate altcoins and the more diverse blockchain technologies.
During the initial crypto boom of the late 2010s, long-running operators acted swiftly by recognizing and supporting the likes of Ethereum and Litecoin as valid deposit and withdrawal methods, giving consumers more choice and flexibility --- and making winning digital assets more mainstream in the process. Of course, in 2025, digital casino users now expect to both be able to play online crypto slots and compete for fiat currencies in a game of roulette or blackjack on the same platform...
Fortunately, because online casinos aren't limited by space, they have the ability to offer a huge variety of games, including online crypto slots and more traditional fare. There are even dedicated gambling and casino gaming altcoins out there, which indicates just how enmeshed the two sectors have become.
So, that's gaming and entertainment covered, but where else are altcoins proving to be useful?
These virtual assets are now providing value across a number of core industries. Supply Chain Management is being revolutionized by the VeChain and Waltonchain projects. Privacy-focused altcoins are boosting data security in healthcare. Even sustainability is being given a boost thanks to the likes of Energy Web Token.
What's Behind the Rise of Ethereum?
Back to Ethereum; what exactly has contributed to its rising demand? Especially since this all-time high in the coin's pricing coincided with a time of economic flux across some of the most influential territories in the crypto market.
One factor that definitely played a part would be increased institutional adoption in a number of different sectors. As top firms like Fidelity and BlackRock continue to integrate the asset into their portfolios, it highlights the project's growing role in the financial sector, as well as its status as a major innovator in blockchain-fuelled industries.
It's not like this challenge for dominance has come out of the blue, though. Yes, ETH has always trailed behind BTC in terms of price, but it's had far greater utility since day one. The blockchain underpins the vast majority of NFT marketplaces and DeFi protocols. Bitcoin, on the other hand, primarily serves as a store of value. Then there's smart contracts and Layer 2 scaling solutions... all made possible due to Ethereum's disruptive approach.
Is the Altcoin Era Upon Us?
At the time of writing, Ethereum is still gaining ground on its old rival despite the value of both coins taking a slight drop (cryptocurrencies are notoriously volatile, with these fluctuations in pricing happening daily). There's a clear shift in market sentiment and attitudes to altcoins, as they emerge as the foundation of blockchain applications. Sure, BTC will likely always retain its celebrity status, but value, utility, and innovation are what will drive the future of digital finance.