Altcoins Eclipse Bitcoin: Solana Soars Amid Regulatory Turf War

Altcoins have emerged as the stars of the show, showcasing remarkable returns over the past week and surpassing the once-dominant Bitcoin. Notable performers include Solana, Cardano, Avalanche’s AVAX, and BNB, each outshining Bitcoin in their respective rallies.

According to data from CoinMarketCap, these altcoins have not only demonstrated impressive gains in the short term but have also exhibited superior performance when viewed through a broader lens. The insights of top analysts further substantiate the enthusiasm surrounding these alternative digital assets.

Michaël van de Poppe, CEO and founder of MN Trading, took to Twitter to share his bullish sentiments, highlighting the allure of achieving substantial gains quickly. Van de Poppe emphasized the importance of sustained effort in maintaining newfound wealth, cautioning against the common pitfall of assuming lightning will strike twice in the form of another 100x surge.

Another influential voice in the crypto space drew attention to the fact that altcoins have already surpassed the Gaussian Channel, a feat not witnessed in four years. The implication is clear – a shift to green is on the horizon, reminiscent of the significant bullish trends observed between 2016 and 2020. All signs point to an impending altcoin bull market.

Solana (SOL) Leads the Charge

Solana’s native token, SOL, has been a standout performer, gaining 9% on December 13 and trading at $78.70. Over the past week, SOL experienced an impressive 8.70% rise. The key question looming in investors’ minds is whether the factors driving this recovery will continue to bolster recent gains.

CoinMarketcap

The surge in Solana’s value can be attributed to multiple factors, including the U.S. Federal Reserve’s announcement of three interest rate cuts throughout 2024. Historically, reduced returns on fixed-income investments have been viewed as a positive signal for risk-on assets like cryptocurrencies.

In a December 12 interview on CNBC, Rostin Behnam, the Chair of the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), highlighted the regulatory challenges hindering the crypto sector’s growth. Behnam described the ongoing “turf war” among regulatory agencies as a significant obstacle, expressing the belief that most tokens are commodities under existing laws.

This perspective stands in contrast to the stance of Gary Gensler, the Chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), who considers most tokens to be securities. The SEC’s previous classification of solana as a security during the Kraken exchange lawsuit in November 2023 adds an additional layer of complexity to the regulatory landscape.

Related Reading | Tether Takes Swift Action To Freeze Exploiter’s Address In Security Breach