Altcoin market cap surges $215 billion following U.S. crypto policy discussions

The altcoin market experienced a significant surge between August 19 and August 22, adding approximately $215 billion in market capitalization. This 24% increase pushed the Total2 metric—which tracks the market value of all cryptocurrencies excluding Bitcoin—back above the $1 trillion threshold.

Market analysts noted that mid- and small-cap tokens led the rally. On the Binance exchange, more than 56% of tracked altcoins are now trading above their 200-day moving average, a notable shift from previous months when the vast majority traded below that technical level.

The momentum followed a White House meeting involving President Donald Trump and various cryptocurrency executives. During the event, Trump advocated for Congress to pass a fair version of the CLARITY Act and indicated that the United States government has discussed making sizable purchases of Bitcoin and other digital assets to maintain leadership in the sector.