What Is Bitcoin Dominance Chart?

The bitcoin dominance chart is a widely used metric in the cryptocurrency market. It can provide valuable insights into the relative performance of bitcoin compared to other digital assets and help identify trends and patterns in the market. As a result, many investors and traders use this chart to make informed decisions about the cryptocurrency market. But what exactly does the [bitcoin dominance chart](/learn/understanding-bitcoin-dominance-a-comprehensive-guide) measure, and what are its implications for the crypto market?

This blog will explore the history, how it is measured, factors affecting the bitcoin dominance chart, and its role in understanding the crypto market.

What Is The Bitcoin Dominance Chart/Index?

Bitcoin Dominance Chart (also known as [Bitcoin Dominance Index](/learn/understanding-bitcoin-dominance-a-comprehensive-guide)) is a metric that measures the percentage of the total market capitalization of all cryptocurrencies that Bitcoin holds. In other words, it shows how much of the total value of all digital currencies is attributed to Bitcoin. This metric is often used to gauge the overall strength and influence of the Bitcoin market compared to other cryptocurrencies.

The Bitcoin Dominance Chart is calculated by taking the market capitalization of Bitcoin and dividing it by the total market capitalization of all cryptocurrencies. Market capitalization is calculated by multiplying the price of a single unit of a cryptocurrency by the total number of units in circulation. This metric is updated in real-time and is widely used to track the relative performance of Bitcoin compared to other digital assets.

The metric is also used to identify trends and patterns in the cryptocurrency market. When the Bitcoin Dominance Chart is high, it indicates that Bitcoin is dominating the market and other cryptocurrencies are not performing as well. When the chart is low, it suggests that other cryptocurrencies are gaining market share and potentially overtaking Bitcoin in terms of overall value.

It is important to note that the Bitcoin Dominance Chart is not a measure of the actual value of Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies but rather a measure of the relative market share. It can also be used to get a sense of the overall health of the cryptocurrency market. A high Bitcoin Dominance ratio can indicate a strong and stable market, while a low chart can indicate a more volatile and uncertain market.

History of the Bitcoin Dominance Chart

The history of the Bitcoin Dominance Chart can be traced back to the early days of the cryptocurrency market when Bitcoin (BTC) was the only major player. According to a Medium post by Jimmy Song, the Bitcoin Dominance Index was originally created to illustrate how importance Bitcoin had in the overall crypto economy. At the time, Bitcoin accounted for nearly 100% of the cryptocurrency market capitalization, so the metric was an important way to measure the relative importance of the first digital currency to scale.

However, as the crypto market evolved and more and more alternative cryptocurrencies (altcoins) emerged, the Bitcoin Dominance Chart became less relevant as a measure of the overall market. The crypto bull market of 2020 and 2021 saw the rise of new projects and protocols, which increased the market capitalization of other digital assets, diluting the dominance of Bitcoin and making the metric less meaningful.

Despite this, the Bitcoin Dominance Chart remains an important tool for investors and traders as it can provide valuable insights into the relative performance of Bitcoin (BTC) compared to other digital assets. It can also be used to identify trends and patterns in the cryptocurrency market, which can be useful for making predictions about future price movements. While the metric may not be as relevant as it once was, it still plays a role in understanding the overall health of the cryptocurrency market.

How Is Bitcoin Dominance Measured?

Bitcoin dominance is a measure of the market share of Bitcoin compared to other cryptocurrencies. It is calculated by taking the market capitalization of Bitcoin and dividing it by the total market capitalization of all cryptocurrencies. Market capitalization is calculated by multiplying the price of a single unit of a cryptocurrency by the total number of units in circulation.

For example, if the market capitalization of Bitcoin is $200 billion and the total market capitalization of all cryptocurrencies is $300 billion, then Bitcoin dominance is 66.67% ($200 billion / $300 billion). This means that 66.67% of the total value of all digital currencies is attributed to Bitcoin.

The market capitalization of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies is typically obtained from cryptocurrency exchanges, which provide real-time data on the price and trading volume of various digital assets. These data are then used to calculate the market capitalization of each cryptocurrency. The total market capitalization of all cryptocurrencies is obtained by summing the market capitalization of each cryptocurrency.

It is important to note that the Bitcoin Dominance Chart is not a measure of the actual value of Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies but rather a measure of the relative market share. It can be used to get a sense of the overall health of the cryptocurrency market. A high Bitcoin Dominance ratio can indicate a strong and stable market, while a low chart can indicate a more volatile and uncertain market.

Investors and traders widely use the Bitcoin Dominance Chart to understand the relative performance of Bitcoin compared to other digital assets and also to identify trends and patterns in the cryptocurrency market. However, use this metric with other indicators to get a more complete picture of the cryptocurrency market.

Factors Influencing Bitcoin Dominance

Several factors can influence the Bitcoin Dominance Chart and the market share of Bitcoin compared to other cryptocurrencies. Some of the main factors include:

Market Sentiment

Market sentiment refers to the overall attitude of investors towards a particular asset or market. If market sentiment towards Bitcoin is positive, it can drive up the price and market capitalization of Bitcoin, which will increase its dominance. On the other hand, if market sentiment toward Bitcoin is negative, it can drive down the price and market capitalization of Bitcoin, which will decrease its dominance.

Innovations and Developments in Other Cryptocurrencies

Innovations and developments in other cryptocurrencies can also influence the Bitcoin Dominance Chart. For example, if a new cryptocurrency is launched that offers a unique value proposition or solves a problem that Bitcoin does not, it can attract investment and drive up its market capitalization, which will decrease Bitcoin's dominance.

Regulations

Government regulations can also have a significant impact on the Bitcoin Dominance Chart. For example, if a government announces a crackdown on cryptocurrency trading or mining, it can lead to a decrease in the price and market capitalization of Bitcoin and an increase in the dominance of other cryptocurrencies.

Media coverage

Media coverage can also play a role in influencing the Bitcoin Dominance Chart. Negative or positive news coverage can affect the market sentiment towards Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, which can drive the prices up or down and alter the dominance.

Competition Between Cryptocurrencies

As the number of cryptocurrencies increase, competition for market share also increases. This can lead to fluctuations in the dominance of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.

It's also worth noting that Bitcoin Dominance Chart is not a measure of the actual value of Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies but rather a measure of the relative market share. It can also be used to get a sense of the overall health of the cryptocurrency market. A high Bitcoin Dominance Chart can indicate a strong and stable market, while a low chart can indicate a more volatile and uncertain market.

Bitcoin Dominance Chart: Uses

Some of the main uses of the Bitcoin Dominance Chart include:

Understanding Relative Performance

Comparing Bitcoin's performance to other digital assets, the Bitcoin Dominance Chart offers a valuable perspective. By tracking the market share of Bitcoin, it allows identifying patterns and trends within the cryptocurrency market. This information can be utilized for forecasting the future direction of the market and making educated investment decisions.

Identifying Market Trends

The Bitcoin Dominance Chart can also be used to identify trends and patterns in the cryptocurrency market. When the chart is high, it indicates that Bitcoin dominates the market and other cryptocurrencies are not performing as well. When the chart is low, it suggests that other cryptocurrencies are gaining market share and potentially overtaking Bitcoin in terms of overall value.

Identifying Entry and Exit Points

The Bitcoin Dominance Chart can also be used to identify entry and exit points in the cryptocurrency market. For example, when the chart is high, it may indicate a good time to sell Bitcoin and invest in other cryptocurrencies. Conversely, when the chart is low, it may indicate a good time to buy Bitcoin and reduce exposure to other cryptocurrencies.

Assessing Overall Market Health

The Bitcoin Dominance Chart can also be used to assess the cryptocurrency market's overall health. A high Bitcoin Dominance Chart can indicate a strong and stable market, while a low chart can indicate a more volatile and uncertain market.

It's important to note that the Bitcoin Dominance Chart should be used with other indicators to get a more complete picture of the cryptocurrency market. However, when used correctly, it can be a valuable tool for making informed decisions about the cryptocurrency market.

Bitcoin Dominance Chart Disadvantages

The Bitcoin Dominance Chart is a widely used metric in the cryptocurrency market, but it also has certain disadvantages that should be considered. Some of the main disadvantages of the Bitcoin Dominance Chart include the following:

Increased Supply

The increase in the number of cryptocurrencies in the market dilutes the dominance of Bitcoin and can make the metric less relevant. In addition, as more and more alternative cryptocurrencies (altcoins) emerge, the Bitcoin Dominance Chart becomes less meaningful as a measure of the overall market.

Market Cap Shortcomings

The market capitalization used to calculate the Bitcoin Dominance Chart has certain shortcomings. Market capitalization is calculated by multiplying the price of a single unit of a cryptocurrency by the total number of units in circulation. However, this method does not consider other factors, such as the underlying technology, network effects, and adoption. This means that the market capitalization of a cryptocurrency does not necessarily reflect its true value.

Not Measuring the Actual Value

The Bitcoin Dominance Chart is not a measure of the actual value of Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies but rather a measure of the relative market share. It can also be used to get a sense of the overall health of the cryptocurrency market. However, it is important to note that this metric should be used in conjunction with other indicators to get a more complete picture of the cryptocurrency market.

Bitcoin Dominance vs. Ethereum Dominance

Bitcoin Dominance and Ethereum Dominance are two metrics used to measure the respective cryptocurrencies' market share of the respective cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin and Ethereum, compared to other digital assets. Both metrics are calculated by taking the market capitalization of the respective cryptocurrency and dividing it by the total market capitalization of all cryptocurrencies.

Bitcoin Dominance measures the percentage of the total market capitalization of all cryptocurrencies that Bitcoin holds. It is often used to gauge the overall strength and influence of the Bitcoin market compared to other cryptocurrencies.

Ethereum Dominance, on the other hand, measures the percentage of the total market capitalization of all cryptocurrencies that Ethereum holds. It is often used as a gauge of the overall strength and influence of the Ethereum market compared to other cryptocurrencies.

Both metrics can be used to identify trends and patterns in the cryptocurrency market, which can be useful for making predictions about future price movements. However, it's important to note that these metrics are not a measure of the actual value of the respective cryptocurrencies but rather a measure of their relative market share.

It's also important to note that the market share can fluctuate over time. For example, Bitcoin's dominance has been declining in recent years as more and more altcoins emerge and gain market share, while Ethereum's dominance has been increasing as it's being adopted as the main blockchain for decentralized finance (DeFi) and other use cases.

It's crucial to consider both Bitcoin Dominance and Ethereum Dominance to comprehensively understand the cryptocurrency market and make informed decisions about investments.

Bitcoin Dominance Chart: A Reliable Indicator?

The Bitcoin Dominance Chart is a widely used metric in the cryptocurrency market. It is often used as a reliable indicator of Bitcoin's market share compared to other digital assets. However, it's important to consider that while the metric can provide valuable insights into the relative performance of Bitcoin compared to other cryptocurrencies, it has certain limitations that should be taken into account.

One of the main limitations of the Bitcoin Dominance Chart is that it is based on market capitalization, which can be a flawed measure of the actual value of a cryptocurrency. Market capitalization is calculated by multiplying the price of a single unit of a cryptocurrency by the total number of units in circulation. However, this method does not take into account other factors, such as the underlying technology, network effects, and adoption. This means that the market capitalization of a cryptocurrency does not necessarily reflect its true value.

Additionally, the increase in the number of cryptocurrencies in the market dilutes the dominance of Bitcoin and can make the metric less relevant. As more and more alternative cryptocurrencies (altcoins) emerge, the Bitcoin Dominance Chart becomes less meaningful as a measure of the overall market.

Overall, while the Bitcoin Dominance Chart can provide valuable insights into the relative performance of Bitcoin compared to other digital assets, it should be used with caution and in conjunction with other indicators to get a more complete picture of the cryptocurrency market.

Use Bitcoin Dominance Chart With Other Indicators

The Bitcoin Dominance Chart (also known as Bitcoin Dominance Index) is a widely used metric in the cryptocurrency market that measures the percentage of the total market capitalization of all cryptocurrencies that is held by Bitcoin. The metric can provide valuable insights into the relative performance of Bitcoin compared to other digital assets and can help identify trends and patterns in the cryptocurrency market. 

However, it's important to note that the Bitcoin Dominance Chart has certain limitations, such as being based on market capitalization, which is a flawed measure of the actual value of a cryptocurrency, and not taking into account other factors such as user adoption, network effects, or technological advancements. Therefore, it's crucial to consider this metric in conjunction with other indicators to get a more complete picture of the cryptocurrency market. Nevertheless, understanding the Bitcoin Dominance Chart can be useful for making informed decisions about the cryptocurrency market.

FAQs

What Is Bitcoin Dominance Index? 

Bitcoin Dominance Index (BDI) is a metric that measures the percentage of the total market capitalization of all cryptocurrencies that is held by Bitcoin. It is calculated by taking the market capitalization of Bitcoin and dividing it by the total market capitalization of all cryptocurrencies. BDI is used to gauge the overall strength and influence of the Bitcoin market compared to other cryptocurrencies. It can also be used to identify trends and patterns in the cryptocurrency market, helping to make predictions about future price movements.

Who Created Bitcoin Dominance Index? 

The origin of the Bitcoin Dominance Index (BDI) is not widely agreed upon, but it is believed to have been created by various individuals or groups who wanted to measure the importance of Bitcoin in the overall crypto economy. 

According to a Medium post written by Jimmy Song (a self-described Bitcoin educator, developer, and entrepreneur), the BDI was originally created by him to illustrate how much importance Bitcoin had in the overall crypto economy. However, it's worth noting that the BDI is not a proprietary index and can be calculated by anyone with access to the market capitalization data of cryptocurrencies.

What Happens When BTC Dominance Is Low?

When the BTC Dominance is low, it means that other cryptocurrencies are gaining market share and potentially overtaking Bitcoin in terms of overall value. This can indicate a trend where investors are moving away from Bitcoin and into other digital assets. It can also suggest that the market sentiment towards Bitcoin is negative, and investors are more bullish on other cryptocurrencies. Low BDI can also indicate that new projects and protocols are gaining popularity among investors, which leads to an increase in the market capitalization of other digital assets, diluting the dominance of Bitcoin.

What if Bitcoin Dominance Goes Up?

When BTC Dominance goes up, it means that Bitcoin is gaining market share and has a larger percentage of the total market capitalization of all cryptocurrencies. This can indicate a trend where investors are moving back to Bitcoin and away from other digital assets. It can also suggest that the market sentiment toward Bitcoin is positive and that investors are more bullish on Bitcoin. High BDI can also indicate that Bitcoin is considered a safe-haven asset, and investors are moving their funds to it during market downturns.