Ethereum Overtakes Bitcoin in Retail FOMO as Traders Shift Focus to Altcoins

Ethereum has taken center stage in crypto discussions, overtaking Bitcoin in retail FOMO (fear of missing out) just days after BTC’s record-setting rally. 

According to new data from Santiment, Monday’s Bitcoin surge triggered widespread hype, but the narrative has now pivoted sharply toward Ethereum and altcoins.

On July 16th, Santiment recorded a major spike in Ethereum-related social volume—fueled by $4K+ price targets circulating across X, Reddit, and Telegram. This follows a trend that started after Bitcoin’s hype peaked earlier this week, suggesting that traders are now betting on the next leg of gains coming from the altcoin market.

The data visualized by Santiment shows a clear shift in sentiment. While Bitcoin dominated the FOMO charts just days ago, Ethereum and XRP have now climbed to the top of the social volume rankings. ETH’s July 16th spike marked the highest mention rate for the asset in months, coinciding with its price breaking above $3,285.

Altcoins are also riding the wave. XRP experienced two notable FOMO spikes—on May 15 and July 14—pointing to increasing retail attention on non-Bitcoin assets. With ETH now absorbing much of the retail excitement, analysts suggest this could be the early stages of a broader altcoin season.

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Traders are encouraged to watch social volume trends closely, as rising FOMO often precedes price volatility. While short-term hype can cool quickly, Ethereum’s sustained momentum and growing user base indicate it may continue to lead this next phase of the crypto market cycle.

Kosta Gushterov

Kosta has been working in the crypto industry for over 4 years. He strives to present different perspectives on a given topic and enjoys the sector for its transparency and dynamism. In his work, he focuses on balanced coverage of events and developments in the crypto space, providing information to his readers from a neutral perspective.