Crypto Daily: BTC Strength, Altcoin Rotation — Figure Heloc Leads Gains (October 28, 2025)

Crypto Daily: BTC Strength, Altcoin Rotation — Figure Heloc Leads Gains (October 28, 2025)

Executive Summary

The crypto market displayed selective strength on October 28, 2025, as total market capitalization held near $3.96 trillion and Bitcoin maintained leadership at $114,493 with dominance at 57.7%. Market breadth was mixed: pockets of sharp outperformance (Figure Heloc +38.76%) contrasted with notable drawdowns in several mid-cap tokens (ChainOpera AI -27.32%).

Market Overview

The broad market remains sizable with a total market cap of $3.96T. Bitcoin continues to dominate market narrative and flows — currently priced at $114,493 and representing 57.7% of total crypto market capitalization — indicating investor preference for the largest, most liquid asset during the latest rotation. Ethereum price: N/A.

This environment—large aggregate cap with high Bitcoin dominance—suggests capital concentration in the top market-cap assets while altcoins experience idiosyncratic moves. Overall volatility is being localized: individual projects see outsized percentage moves rather than broad-based, synchronized rallies or selloffs.

Top Performers

  • Figure Heloc (FIGR_HELOC): +38.76% at $1.36 — The largest gainer on the day. Such a strong single-session jump typically reflects project-specific catalysts (news, listings, tokenomics updates) or low-liquidity dynamics that amplify buying. Traders should verify the underlying catalyst and assess on-chain volumes and exchange flows before adding exposure.
  • River (RIVER): +23.87% at $8.49 — Another double-digit mover that may be benefiting from renewed interest in its narrative or token utility. Large percentage gains in mid-cap tokens often attract momentum traders; watch for follow-through volume.
  • tokenbot (CLANKER): +20.63% at $119.46 — Higher-priced, high-percentage gains can indicate concentrated buying. Check liquidity and order-book depth; volatility risk is elevated.
  • AxyCoin (AXYC): +18.56% at $1.78 — Consistent with a selective altcoin uplift, possibly driven by protocol updates, staking incentives, or gaming/integration news.
  • Ape and Pepe (APEPE): +17.73% at $0.00000251 — Meme-coin moves remain prevalent in risk-on micro-cycles; these are high-risk, high-volatility plays.

Actionable insight: For traders, momentum strategies could capture short-term continuation for these winners, but risk management is essential. Confirm catalysts, scanning on-chain and social metrics, and size positions to account for likely intraday volatility and potential rapid reversals.

Market Challenges

  • ChainOpera AI (COAI): -27.32% at $4.18 — The largest loser. Sharp declines of this magnitude often follow disappointing announcements, token unlocks, or market re-pricing of AI-related narratives. Investigate any token release schedules, team statements, or liquidity events.
  • Other notable pullbacks: Meteora (MET) -16.88% at $0.457355; Drift Protocol (DRIFT) -13.08% at $0.433335; Merlin Chain (MERL) -12.36% at $0.365823; Falcon Finance (FF) -12.04% at $0.154275. These drawdowns span DeFi, L1/L2 and niche plays, highlighting uneven risk distribution across the market.

Actionable insight: Investors in these names should review on-chain indicators and update risk assessments. For traders, look for capitulation signals, volume drying up on extensions of the selloff, or confirmed reversals before adding positions. For longer-term holders, re-evaluate thesis and check for governance or fundamental developments that justify continued exposure.

Sector Analysis

  • AI: +0.06% (9 coins tracked) — Essentially flat; AI narratives remain present but not driving broad gains.
  • DeFi: -1.40% (10 coins) — Weakness in core DeFi suggests profit-taking or rotation out of risk-on yields; watch lending/DEX volumes and TVL changes.
  • L1: +1.36% (9 coins) — Layer 1s showed modest strength, indicating selective appetite for base-layer scalability narratives.
  • L2: -1.36% (7 coins) — L2s lagged L1s today, which could reflect consolidation after recent runs or an absence of short-term catalysts.
  • RWA: -2.40% (8 coins) — Real-world-asset tokens underperformed, possibly due to macro-rate or regulatory sensitivity.
  • Gaming: -1.34% (7 coins) — Soft performance; gaming continues to be narrative-dependent.
  • Meme: -1.31% (5 coins) — Despite pockets of meme strength (APEPE), the small sample shows slight net weakness.
  • Privacy: -1.52% (6 coins) — Privacy tokens underperformed modestly.

Interpretation: The market is exhibiting narrow rallies rather than synchronized sector-wide leadership. L1s are the relative outperformers, while RWA and DeFi show the most weakness among tracked groups.

Technical Analysis (Qualitative)

  • Momentum: Bitcoin’s price and elevated dominance indicate the market is currently favoring BTC-led moves. Momentum in major caps appears stronger than in the broader altcoin complex.
  • Trend strength: The existence of high-cap concentration with selective altcoin outliers suggests the dominant trend is cautious—participants are allocating to higher-liquidity assets while selectively rotating into individual high-conviction alts.
  • Risk levels: Overall market risk is moderate-to-high for altcoins due to idiosyncratic volatility; BTC-related risk is lower by comparison given liquidity and depth. Short-term traders should expect sudden spikes and reversals in mid- and small-cap tokens.
  • Trade management: Use tight, data-driven entries (volume-confirmed breakouts, on-chain activity spikes) and predefined stop or hedging strategies. Avoid averaging into rapidly falling names without clear fundamental support.

Note: Exact support/resistance dollar levels are not provided in the data set and therefore not listed here.

Market Outlook — What to Watch

  • Bitcoin leadership and dominance: With BTC at $114,493 and 57.7% dominance, watch whether BTC re-accelerates to drive broader risk-on flows or whether dominance rises further, crowding out alts.
  • Catalyst verification for outliers: Confirm whether top gainer moves (FIGR_HELOC, RIVER, CLANKER) are news-driven, listing-driven, or liquidity-driven. Sustained follow-through requires substantive catalysts.
  • DeFi and RWA dynamics: Continued weakness in DeFi and RWA could presage rotation into more liquid L1s or BTC, or reflect macro/regulatory pressures—monitor TVL, on-chain lending rates, and governance announcements.
  • Volatility events: Expect episodic volatility in mid- and small-cap names; set position sizes accordingly and monitor token unlock schedules and exchange inflows/outflows.

Key Takeaways

  • Bitcoin remains the primary market driver: BTC price $114,493 and dominance at 57.7% underscore capital concentration in the largest asset.
  • Market breadth is mixed: Total market cap at $3.96T with isolated altcoin rallies (FIGR_HELOC +38.76%) and pronounced single-asset selloffs (COAI -27.32%).
  • Sector dispersion: L1s showed modest gains (+1.36%), while DeFi (-1.40%) and RWA (-2.40%) lagged; AI was essentially flat (+0.06%).
  • Risk management is essential: High idiosyncratic volatility among mid/small caps argues for catalyst confirmation, disciplined sizing, and clear exit rules.

Disclaimer This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or trading advice. Do your own research and consult a licensed professional before making investment decisions.