Bitcoin Now Just One of Many Crypto Onramps as Retail Diversifies Beyond BTC
Bitcoin, once the indisputable gateway to the crypto world, is fast becoming just one of several entry points for retail investors, according to new research from CoinGecko. A survey released Monday of 2,549 crypto participants revealed a significant shift: only 55% of new users began their crypto journey with Bitcoin, and 10% of respondents have never purchased BTC at all, underscoring the ecosystem’s rapid maturation.
Altcoins Revolutionize Crypto Entry
CoinGecko’s findings highlight how emerging narratives, new blockchain platforms, and community-driven altcoins are transforming the retail investor experience.
“Bitcoin has become less likely to be the onboarding mechanism over time, as other narratives and altcoin communities have emerged and gained traction,” said CoinGecko research analyst Yuqian Lim.
Where once Bitcoin was considered the default “first coin,” a growing number of newcomers are now starting with altcoins, memecoins, or DeFi tokens. The study found that 37% of respondents chose altcoins as their first crypto purchase an eye-catching sign of the market’s diversification and evolving appeal.
Experts Interpret a Maturing Crypto Ecosystem
Industry leaders view this trend as healthy market progression. Jonathon Miller, Kraken’s general manager, emphasized the appeal of frictionless onboarding and the proliferation of distinct asset classes appealing to new sectors, from DeFi to meme tokens.
“Bitcoin is no longer the only major asset, while access is becoming increasingly frictionless and making it easier than ever for newcomers to engage with emerging narratives,” Miller noted.
He suggests that, over time, many who start with altcoins will ultimately come to appreciate Bitcoin’s sound money properties especially during periods of macroeconomic or geopolitical uncertainty.
Why Altcoins Attract Newcomers
The lower price per unit of many altcoins often appeals to first-time buyers, who may perceive “cheaper” coins as having greater upside. According to Hank Huang, CEO of Kronos Research, lower-cap altcoins lure investors with the promise of vibrant communities and rapid price movement, while Bitcoin can seem expensive or “missed” due to its high price point.
“The hype gravitates toward Sol, ETH, and memecoins, turning Bitcoin from the default entry point into just one of many destinations in crypto,” Huang observed, pointing to Solana, Ethereum, and various memecoins as popular choices in 2025.
Perception of Missing the Bitcoin Boat
Stocktwits’ Tom Bruni says the psychology of retail investors is increasingly shaped by the belief they have missed out on Bitcoin’s early gains:
“Onlookers may feel that if they didn’t acquire Bitcoin at lower levels, then they’ve already missed the boat as it has traded over $100,000 this year,” Bruni commented.
Recent market rallies have seen certain altcoins outperform Bitcoin, leading investors to chase “cheaper” cryptos further along the risk spectrum. Still, he expects Bitcoin to retain its role as an anchor asset, especially for risk-off reallocations if the market sours.
Bitcoin’s Role: Permanent, But Not Exclusive
Qin En Looi of Onigiri Capital predicts the trend of “zero Bitcoiners” won’t last especially as Bitcoin is further integrated into mainstream finance, wealth management, and retirement accounts.
“As infrastructure matures, we’ll likely see fewer with zero exposure… Bitcoin’s role is evolving, but it won’t ever disappear, because it’s the benchmark for the broader crypto market,” he says.
Market in Transition: Performance Drives Allocation
Ultimately, retail investors’ decisions still hinge on performance: if Bitcoin keeps pace with altcoin returns, it will remain a staple in portfolios. If another bear market strikes, expect retreat into BTC for its perceived stability and institutional backing.
As crypto matures and the ecosystem broadens, Bitcoin is evolving from “gateway” to “anchor” still critical, but now accompanied by dozens of emerging tokens vying for the next wave of mainstream adoption.
