Crypto Majors Stuck in Tight Range as Altcoin Rotation Picks Up

Bitcoin and ether have been confined to a tight trading range over the past four days, with BTC oscillating between $76,100 and $78,000 and ETH showing similar stagnation. The lack of volatility in major cryptocurrencies has prompted traders to rotate capital into altcoins, leading to sharp divergences across sectors. On Friday, the AI sector emerged as a clear beneficiary, with NEAR surging 28.5% and FET gaining 11.4% in the last 24 hours. Conversely, privacy coins such as DASH, ZEC, and XMR experienced significant sell pressure, eroding most of their early-week gains and highlighting the rapid rotation underway.

For crypto traders, the tight range in majors often signals a period of consolidation before a directional move, but the current environment is also characterized by sector rotation that can create opportunities in smaller tokens. The AI token rally reflects ongoing speculative interest in narratives tied to artificial intelligence, while the sell-off in privacy coins suggests profit-taking after their recent outperformance. Live crypto prices and charts on NowPrice show how these rotations are playing out in real time, allowing traders to track momentum shifts across sectors. The broader market remains sensitive to macroeconomic factors, with Brent crude oil dropping to $102 per barrel, which could influence risk sentiment.

Looking ahead, traders will watch for a breakout from the current range in bitcoin and ether, as a sustained move above $78,000 or below $76,100 could set the tone for the next trend. The altcoin rotation may continue as long as majors remain range-bound, with AI tokens and other narratives like meme coins or layer-2 solutions potentially attracting further capital. Key data releases and Fed commentary in the coming week could also provide catalysts, so market participants should stay alert for shifts in liquidity and volatility.