As Bitcoin 
$77,196 continues to fluctuate below the $100,000 mark, altcoins such as Ethereum 
$2,421, Dogecoin 
$0.099508, Cardano 
$0.258622, and XRP are gaining attention. According to data from Santiment, the number of HODLers for these altcoins has varied since the beginning of the year. The crypto analysis platform highlighted the impact of HODLer counts on each protocol’s ecosystem.
Ethereum and XRP Stand Out
Santiment analyzed six digital currencies, including Bitcoin and Chainlink 
$10. Chainlink struggled with a decrease of 3,300 in HODLer wallets. In contrast, Ethereum and XRP have emerged as significant players.
Common data reveals that Ethereum recorded an increase of 645,000 HODLer wallets. This figure emphasizes its status as a top altcoin among retail investors. Meanwhile, XRP closely follows with an increase of 58,000 HODLer wallets since the start of the year.
Project Ecosystems and Dogecoin’s Advantage
Dogecoin, the only meme cryptocurrency analyzed by Santiment, experienced a surge of 29,000 long-term investors. In contrast, Cardano had a low of only 2,800 wallets consistently supporting long-term growth.
In a statement from Santiment, they noted that significant changes in HODLer counts have been observed since the start of the new year, alongside price fluctuations in our crypto assets as we approach 2025.
The term ‘HODLer’ refers to token holders who plan to keep their assets long-term. The data provider indicated that an increase in HODLers reflects greater comfort with the project among investors or the community, potentially contributing to ecosystem stability and long-term token growth. Conversely, a decrease in HODLers might lead to concerns, uncertainty, and doubt among investors.
Despite recent fluctuations, experts believe the altcoin season is still ahead. Galaxy Research forecasts that the price of DOGE will exceed $1 by the end of the year, a projection linked to its D.O.G.E management. Additionally, top experts see significant potential for Ethereum this year, with Bitwise predicting a new record high, estimating the asset could reach $7,000 by year-end.
