The crypto market had a quiet and careful day as prices moved lower across many coins. Bitcoin returned to the area near 114K while Ethereum moved down close to 4100. At the same time market mood improved slightly as the Fear and Greed Index reached 43 which shows a neutral feeling among traders.
Even though prices moved down a little many traders see this as a normal pause after a strong run. When big global events create worry people often move money into Bitcoin first. This is what happened again. As funds moved out of smaller coins Bitcoin dominance increased to 59.05 percent which is the highest level seen since mid 2025.
When Bitcoin dominance rises it usually means traders are being careful. They prefer to stay in the biggest and most trusted asset instead of taking risks with new projects. This shift caused many altcoins to fall. Two of the most affected were Plasma XPL and Aster ASTER which both dropped around 16 percent in one day.
These coins had gained strong attention recently. Many traders entered quickly hoping for fast profits. When the market slowed those same traders sold to protect their gains. This created strong selling pressure and pushed prices down fast. This does not mean the projects are finished. It only shows that short term moves can be sharp when the market mood changes.
At the same time the world economy is facing new stress. In the United States lawmakers have not reached an agreement on short term funding. If no deal is made some government offices may close. This situation creates fear in the market because it can delay important jobs data and other reports.
When people feel unsure about the future they become more careful with money. They move away from risky assets and choose safer options. In crypto this usually means Bitcoin gets more attention while smaller coins lose support for a while.
Recent economic data shows the job market is slowing but prices of goods are still high. This creates a mixed picture. Investors are unsure what will happen next. Because of this many choose to wait and reduce risk.
This is why Bitcoin is gaining strength compared to the rest of the market. It is still seen as the main store of value in crypto. When the market feels nervous Bitcoin often becomes the first choice.
Ethereum and many other coins did not perform as well during this period. Their share of the market became smaller. This shows that traders are focusing on stability instead of growth right now.
The fall in XPL and ASTER is part of this larger move. It is not only about these two coins. Many new and fast moving projects faced selling pressure as traders moved back to Bitcoin.
Market cycles like this are normal. There are times when altcoins rise faster and times when Bitcoin takes the lead again. Understanding this can help traders stay calm during price changes.
For now the market is watching global events closely. Any news about government decisions or economic data could change market mood quickly.
This is not financial advice. It is only a simple market summary for learning and awareness.
