TLDR:Ethereum price climbs 170% from lows, nearing its all-time high amid heavy institutional inflows.Altcoins account for 83% of futures trading volume as Bitcoin dominance declines sharply.$1.3B ETH investment from SharpLink triggers a surge in liquidity and institutional interest.Analysts predict Ethereum could hit $7,800 if its bullish wedge pattern confirms a breakout.Altcoins are coming alive. Ethereum has roared back, Bitcoin is steady near $120K, and traders are shifting their focus fast. Big money is flowing, and the numbers prove it. After months of Bitcoin dominance, altcoins are grabbing the spotlight. The market is bracing for what could be the first true altseason of 2025.Ethereum Leads the ChargeEthereum has surged 170% from its recent lows and now sits just 23% shy of its all-time high near $4,871. CryptoQuant reported that SharpLink invested $1.3 billion in Ethereum, securing 438,190 ETH. That move sparked a fresh wave of demand. Futures trading for Ethereum and other altcoins exploded to $223.6 billion, hitting a five-month high.2025 Altseason? Altcoins are heating up after Bitcoin’s breakout to ~$120K. For example, Ethereum is up +170% from the recent lows and just ~23% from its ATH at $4,871.Here are 6 key charts showing this market shift pic.twitter.com/8fUZELmhMy— CryptoQuant.com (@cryptoquant_com) July 31, 2025Meanwhile, Bitcoin volume is sliding. On centralized exchanges, altcoins and Ethereum now account for 83% of total futures activity. Bitcoin has been reduced to just 17%. For traders, this shift shows where the real action is right now.Bitcoin’s breakout to $120K pulled the entire market higher, but its grip is loosening. CryptoQuant’s data shows a steady drop in Bitcoin dominance as altcoins gain ground. Out of 424 futures pairs on Binance, only 23 have turned negative since Bitcoin hit its new all-time high.Retail traders are back in the game. Transactions under $10K jumped 9.7% in 30 days. This trend has marked previous rallies in both Bitcoin and altcoins, hinting that more retail-driven momentum could be coming.Altcoins Gain Institutional InterestWise Crypto pointed out that 49% of the top 50 coins are now outperforming Bitcoin. Ethereum’s 55% monthly climb, combined with ETF inflows and favorable regulatory moves, is drawing institutional investors toward altcoins. That shift is creating deeper liquidity and stronger price action across the market. Altcoin Season 2025 is brewing 49% of top 50 coins are now outperforming $BTC $BTC dominance is slipping $ETH up 55% this month Regulatory wins + ETF inflows = institutional money flowing into EthereumWatch for $AAVE, $OP, $TIA, $ARB to follow.#AltcoinSeason… pic.twitter.com/T7qht9gFa8— Wise Crypto (@WiseCrypto_) July 30, 2025Crypto Crew University also noted a potential breakout pattern for Ethereum. Their analysis shows a descending broadening wedge, with a possible dip to $3,050 before a push toward $7,800 if the structure holds.The surge in altcoin trading, coupled with Ethereum’s massive investment boost, is reshaping the crypto market. With Bitcoin steady at $120K, attention is squarely on Ethereum and the growing list of altcoins showing strength. If these trends keep up, 2025 could mark one of the strongest altseasons yet. The post Institutional Money Flows Into Ethereum, Pushing Altcoin Season Into High Gear appeared first on Blockonomi.