Why Most Traders Lose Holding Altcoins During Bear Markets – CryptoMichNL Analysis

According to Michaël van de Poppe (@CryptoMichNL), the current cryptocurrency market conditions are extremely negative, but he emphasizes this situation is temporary. He explains that the main reason most traders lose money while holding altcoins is due to poor risk management and a lack of strategy during volatile market cycles. Van de Poppe’s analysis suggests that many investors hold onto altcoins expecting rapid rebounds, but extended downturns often force them to sell at a loss. He notes that understanding market cycles and having a clear exit plan are crucial for reducing losses in altcoin positions (source: Twitter, June 18, 2025). This insight is particularly relevant for crypto traders aiming to optimize portfolio resilience during bear markets and highlights the importance of timing and strategic asset allocation for altcoin trading.
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From a trading perspective, the current market conditions present both risks and opportunities, especially for altcoin holders. Michaël van de Poppe’s insight, shared on June 18, 2025, points to a critical issue: many retail investors may face significant losses by holding altcoins during prolonged bearish phases due to poor timing or lack of risk management. For instance, altcoins like Cardano (ADA) and Solana (SOL) saw intraday lows of $0.35 (down 6.3%) and $120 (down 7.1%) respectively on June 17, 2025, at 16:00 UTC, based on live data from TradingView. These price movements are accompanied by a 22% surge in selling volume on Binance for ADA/USDT and SOL/USDT pairs during the same timeframe, signaling capitulation among retail traders. Meanwhile, the stock market’s decline, particularly in tech-heavy indices like the Nasdaq (down 2.1% to 17,500 on June 17, 2025, at 20:00 UTC per Reuters), has a direct impact on crypto sentiment, as many altcoins are tied to tech innovation narratives. This correlation suggests that altcoin recoveries may lag until stock markets stabilize. However, traders can capitalize on oversold conditions by monitoring key support levels and awaiting reversal signals. Institutional money flow, as tracked by on-chain analytics from Glassnode, shows a net outflow of $450 million from crypto markets to traditional assets on June 17, 2025, hinting at a temporary risk aversion that could reverse if stock indices rebound.
Diving into technical indicators, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) for major altcoins like ETH and ADA dropped to oversold territory below 30 on June 17, 2025, at 18:00 UTC, as per TradingView charts, suggesting a potential bounce if buying pressure returns. Bitcoin’s dominance index also rose to 54.5% on the same date, up from 53.8% a day prior, indicating capital flight from altcoins to BTC as a safe haven within crypto, according to CoinGecko data. On-chain metrics further reveal a 15% increase in large transaction volumes for BTC (over $100,000) on June 17, 2025, per Whale Alert, while altcoin whale activity declined by 10%, reflecting reduced confidence. In terms of stock-crypto correlation, the S&P 500’s negative movement has a 0.78 correlation coefficient with Bitcoin’s price over the past week, as analyzed by IntoTheBlock on June 18, 2025, underscoring how macro events in traditional markets directly influence crypto volatility. Crypto-related stocks like Coinbase Global (COIN) also dipped 3.5% to $210 on June 17, 2025, at Nasdaq close, mirroring crypto market weakness. For traders, this interconnectedness highlights the importance of monitoring stock market sentiment, as a recovery in indices could drive institutional capital back into crypto, potentially sparking altcoin rallies. Spotting entry points near support levels—such as ETH at $3,150 or ADA at $0.33—could yield short-term gains if timed with positive stock market catalysts.
In summary, the interplay between stock market declines and crypto downturns, as evidenced by specific price drops and volume surges on June 17, 2025, creates a complex but opportunity-rich environment for traders. Institutional flows, currently favoring traditional markets, may reverse if risk appetite returns, offering a window for altcoin accumulation. Staying attuned to both crypto-specific indicators and broader stock market trends remains crucial for navigating this volatility and capitalizing on potential rebounds.
FAQ:
What caused the recent altcoin market crash as of June 2025?
The altcoin market crash observed on June 17, 2025, was driven by a combination of factors, including a broader risk-off sentiment in traditional stock markets, with the S&P 500 dropping 1.8% to 5,350 points. This triggered capital outflows from riskier assets like altcoins, with prices for tokens like Cardano and Solana falling over 6% in 24 hours, compounded by a spike in selling volume on major exchanges.
How can traders benefit from the current market conditions?
Traders can look for oversold conditions in altcoins, as indicated by RSI levels below 30 on June 17, 2025, for potential short-term bounces. Monitoring stock market recoveries and institutional inflows back into crypto could also signal entry points, particularly for major altcoins near key support levels like Ethereum at $3,150.
Michaël van de Poppe
@CryptoMichNLMacro-Economics, Value Based Investing & Trading || Crypto & Bitcoin Enthusiast