Institutional interest and technological advancements drive altcoins to outperform Bitcoin during Q4

Investor sentiment in the crypto market appears to be evolving, with market experts predicting that various altcoins may surpass

during the last quarter of 2025. This movement is being fueled by the expansion of blockchain ecosystems, a rise in institutional involvement, and broader economic influences like the expected interest rate reductions from the Federal Reserve. Leading the charge are (ETH), (SOL), and (LINK), all of which have posted notable price increases and demonstrated solid fundamentals over the past three months.

Ethereum, the world’s second-largest crypto asset by market value, has climbed 75.39% over the last 90 days, substantially outpacing Bitcoin’s 9.53% gain. This performance is largely linked to Ethereum’s pivotal role in decentralized finance (DeFi), smart contract deployment, and Layer-2 scaling solutions. Experts point to the network’s continued enhancements, such as the recent Pectra upgrade, as key drivers for greater transaction speed and institutional interest. As the SEC is expected to clarify its stance on staking, Ethereum’s ecosystem may attract more investments, potentially closing the performance gap with Bitcoin.

Solana (SOL) stands out as another high achiever, surging 54.65% in three months to reach a $120 billion market cap. Solana’s fast blockchain, capable of handling over 50,000 transactions per second, has made it increasingly popular in DeFi, NFTs, and the gaming sector. Recent positive developments, such as an expanding community of developers and the possibility of U.S. spot ETF approvals, have increased investor optimism. Analysts believe that Solana’s affordable transaction costs and scalability may encourage broader adoption, especially if regulatory obstacles are cleared and its use in finance grows.

Chainlink (LINK) has seen the largest price jump among the top altcoins, rising 78.92% in 90 days and reaching a $16 billion market value. The decentralized

platform’s ability to connect smart contracts with real-world information has led to increased adoption in both DeFi and conventional finance. Strategic collaborations, including work with SWIFT and ANZ, highlight Chainlink’s growing institutional presence. Some analysts foresee this momentum continuing, with price estimates ranging from $30 to $34 by year’s end. Chainlink’s recent breakthrough above $20 and mounting open interest in its derivatives markets are additional pillars supporting its bullish outlook.

Zooming out, the broader market is benefiting from optimistic macroeconomic trends, including expectations of rate cuts by the Fed that could loosen liquidity and favor risk-based assets. Furthermore, the “altseason” narrative—where over 75% of major altcoins are outperforming Bitcoin—has gained steam, indicating a strong appetite for innovative blockchain projects. While Bitcoin remains the market leader, altcoins like Ethereum, Solana, and Chainlink are drawing increased attention thanks to their technological progress and ecosystem expansion.

Nonetheless, certain risks remain, such as scheduled token unlocks and ambiguous regulatory environments. For example, projects with significant releases in the fourth quarter may face short-lived supply pressures, though many analysts believe robust fundamentals and supportive macro conditions could offset these challenges. Highly volatile coins like

(DOGE) and (ADA) are also being watched, but require careful scrutiny regarding their real-world adoption and development trajectory.