Key Takeaways

• On 2025-09-13, altcoin trading volume surpassed Bitcoin and Ethereum for the first time. This signals a major shift in the cryptocurrency market.
• Top story: Altcoin trading volume overtook both Bitcoin and Ethereum, indicating evolving dynamics in market activity.
• Bitcoin consolidated at $115,000, with continued accumulation by large holders.
• Solana recorded a 35% monthly rally, driven by rising institutional interest and adoption.
• The US SEC clarified that most tokens do not qualify as securities, reducing regulatory uncertainty for many projects.
• Institutional interest in alternative tokens is supporting wider market diversification.

Introduction

On 2025-09-13, altcoin trading volume surpassed both Bitcoin and Ethereum for the first time. This marks a significant development in the cryptocurrency market, as detailed in today’s cryptocurrency market press review. Recent guidance from the US SEC stating most tokens do not qualify as securities further shapes the evolving regulatory context and boosts investor confidence.

Top Story

Altcoin Trading Volume Sets New Record

Daily trading volume for major altcoins reached $158 billion, the highest since December 2023. Solana, Cardano, and Polkadot led this activity, jointly representing 45% of total altcoin trading.

Institutional Drivers

Institutional investors have increased altcoin allocations, with regulatory filings indicating a 28% rise in holdings since July. Improvements to network scalability, particularly on Solana, have attracted growing institutional interest. Explore how institutions integrate alternative ecosystems by understanding private keys & seed phrases in Layer2 DeFi and the security implications of cross-network participation.

Also Today

Regulatory Environment

The US Securities and Exchange Commission released updated cryptocurrency trading guidelines, offering clearer frameworks for token classification. The new guidelines specifically address DeFi protocols and yield-generating products. To understand the technical aspects that drive market adaptation, learn more about technical analysis and how it assists in interpreting regulatory-driven price action.

Internationally, European and Asian regulators signaled support for harmonized crypto regulations. Japan’s Financial Services Agency announced plans to adopt similar classification standards, marking progress toward global regulatory consistency.

Market Development

Solana completed an optimization protocol, boosting transaction capacity by 40 percent. This upgrade has already led to a 25 percent reduction in transaction fees across the network.

Major financial service providers introduced new crypto custody solutions. Three traditional banks announced digital asset services for institutional clients, broadening regulated market access. If you’re aiming to diversify your strategies, review the trading strategies that are gaining popularity amid institutional expansion.

Market Wrap

Price Movements

Bitcoin traded at $52,450, up 3.2% over 24 hours, while Ethereum reached $3,180. The total cryptocurrency market capitalization expanded to $2.1 trillion, reflecting broad gains across major assets.

Notable Performers

Layer-1 protocols led market advances, with Solana up 12% and Cardano increasing by 8%. DeFi tokens showed strength, notably among projects with institutional integration features. With evolving sentiment, staying attuned to mindset & psychology is key for navigating the volatility of emerging performers.

What to Watch

• SEC briefing on DeFi regulations (September 15, 2025)
• Binance institutional product launch (September 18, 2025)
• Ethereum network upgrade implementation (September 20, 2025)
• Major exchange listing of regulated security tokens (September 22, 2025)

Conclusion

The rise in altcoin trading volume marks a pivotal moment in the cryptocurrency market. It underlines increased institutional engagement and the effects of the SEC’s updated guidance on token classification. Broader regulatory alignment and recent technical upgrades are creating new pathways for market growth and accessibility. What to watch: the upcoming SEC DeFi regulation briefing on September 15 and significant network and product launches scheduled throughout the month. For further perspective on adapting to these shifts, review foundational trading strategies that can help you manage both risk and opportunity in this evolving landscape.