CoinGecko data: A new wave of FOMO? Only 50% of new crypto investors would choose Bitcoin
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CoinGecko data: A new wave of FOMO? Only 50% of new crypto investors would choose Bitcoin
Bitcoin's market dominance may shrink, but it could remain the "anchor" in many people's portfolios.
Navigating Web3 tides with focused insightsAuthor: Stephen Katte
Translation: TechFlow
A CoinGecko survey released on Monday revealed that 10% of respondents have never purchased Bitcoin, and only 55% of newcomers include Bitcoin in their investment portfolios.
The latest survey by data aggregation platform CoinGecko found that only 55% of new cryptocurrency users have chosen Bitcoin for their portfolios—a sign analysts view as evidence of market maturity.
A CoinGecko survey of 2,549 cryptocurrency participants showed that 10% of respondents have never bought Bitcoin.
"In other words, as alternative narratives and altcoin communities emerge and gain attention, Bitcoin's role as the default entry point is gradually diminishing," said Yuqian Lim, research analyst at CoinGecko.
Among new cryptocurrency holders surveyed by CoinGecko, only 55% initially held Bitcoin
Source: CoinGecko
Altcoin On-Ramps: A Sign of a Healthy Market
Jonathon Miller, general manager at cryptocurrency exchange Kraken, told Cointelegraph that investors are beginning to enter the space through avenues other than Bitcoin, such as DeFi or memecoins.
"This reflects the growth and maturation of the crypto ecosystem: Bitcoin is no longer the sole dominant asset, and the process of accessing crypto has become increasingly seamless, allowing newcomers to more easily engage with emerging narratives," he said.
"However, he also believes that given rising geopolitical uncertainty, ongoing currency devaluations, and Bitcoin's reputation as the 'most robust form of money,' users who initially bypassed Bitcoin may eventually turn back to it."
"Over time, many participants drawn into the crypto market by speculative trends will come to recognize Bitcoin’s importance and adjust their portfolios accordingly."
The Appeal of Altcoins
Hank Huang, CEO of quantitative trading firm Kronos Research, told Cointelegraph that "investors who bypass Bitcoin upon first entering the market are typically attracted by altcoins’ lower price per unit and stronger sense of community."
The CoinGecko survey found that 37% of respondents entered the crypto space via altcoins rather than Bitcoin.
Source: CoinGecko
"As cryptocurrencies become more widespread, an increasing number of investors will bypass Bitcoin and instead focus on lower-market-cap altcoins with vibrant communities. This reflects a maturing market where diversification drives participation," said Hank Huang.
"Market momentum is shifting toward Sol, ETH, and memecoins, turning Bitcoin from the default gateway into just one of many options in the crypto landscape."
He further speculated that in the long run, the future of crypto will not rest solely on Bitcoin, as it faces competition from new frameworks and its adoption is increasingly driven by a diverse ecosystem where innovation, culture, and community are valued equally with price."
Fear of Missing Out
Tom Bruni, head of markets at investing-focused social media platform Stocktwits, told Cointelegraph that lack of knowledge and frequent price surges in Bitcoin may also be factors.
"While crypto-natives consider the industry still in its early stages, observers might feel they’ve already missed the opportunity if they didn’t buy Bitcoin when prices were low—especially after it surpassed $100,000," he said.
"During recent bull runs, certain altcoins have significantly outperformed Bitcoin. Investors seek cheaper alternatives to Bitcoin, driving interest into riskier altcoins and memecoin markets."
In 2025, Bitcoin reached multiple all-time highs, most recently on August 14, when it first broke $124,000.
Meanwhile, Bruni noted that as altcoins, stablecoins, and other blockchain-related technologies evolve, Bitcoin’s market dominance may shrink—but it could remain an “anchor” in many portfolios.
"Ultimately, performance drives allocation decisions. So long as Bitcoin’s returns keep pace with the rest of the ecosystem, it’s unlikely that many more people will completely bypass it," he concluded.
"For now, Bitcoin is performing well, but if the market turns downward, it could become a catalyst for investors to shift into Bitcoin, as it represents a more stable and institutionalized crypto option."
Zero-Bitcoin Holders Won't Last
Qin En Looi, managing partner at venture capital firm Onigiri Capital, told Cointelegraph that early adopters already own Bitcoin, while the majority of latecomers will only enter the market once Bitcoin is integrated into traditional financial systems and accessible through banks, wealth managers, or retirement products.
"As these infrastructures mature, we may see a decline in the number of zero-Bitcoin holders, but this process could be slower than many expect, as it requires systematically building trust," he said.
Ultimately, En Looi believes Bitcoin’s role is evolving but will never disappear, as it remains the benchmark for the entire crypto market, much like gold continues to serve as a reference point in traditional finance.
"What we’re seeing isn’t a decline in relevance, but an expansion of correlation—stablecoins, tokenized assets, and application-layer projects are now becoming focal points."
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