In this cycle of the cryptocurrency market, altcoins have a market capitalization that is $800 billion lower than in past cycles. According to a new report by 10x Research, the main reason for this is that individual investors, especially those in South Korea, are withdrawing their capital from altcoins and directing it towards cryptocurrency-related stocks. “The altcoin market capitalization could have been approximately $800 billion higher if retail investors, particularly in South Korea, had not turned their attention to crypto-related stocks and other stock market investments,” said Markus Thielen, CEO and head of research at 10x Research. According to Thielen, “altcoins have not attracted sufficient new capital this cycle.” South Korean investors have historically been known for their strong interest in altcoins. Altcoins account for over 80% of trading volume on local exchanges, while Bitcoin and Ethereum together account for 50% or more of the total volume on global platforms. According to CCData and the Korea Exchange, the average daily trading volume on Korean crypto exchanges between November 5-28, 2024, was $9.4 billion, compared to around $7 billion on the Kospi exchange. However, crypto trading volumes have declined sharply since then, according to 10x Research. The report notes that the declining interest of South Korean investors has played a key role in the weak performance of the altcoin market, which could signal further depreciation. A sharp sell-off in crypto markets amid the re-escalation of US-China trade tensions has shaken Bitcoin and altcoins, with altcoins taking the brunt of the blow. According to 10x Research, $131 billion of the $380 billion wiped out in the recent sell-off is concentrated in the altcoin market. The report also stated that the shift in investor interest to Bitcoin and crypto stocks is a “structural change,” and that it appears difficult for the altcoin market to compensate for this loss in the short term. *This is not investment advice.