In an unexpected turn of events, the crypto landscape faced an intense storm on Monday morning, leaving many investors stunned. Beginning with a tranquil weekend, the altcoin market descended into chaos, triggering a massive sell-off that saw $600 million liquidated, according to CryptoPotato.

The Dramatic Drop

Amidst the upheaval, Ethereum and Ripple emerged as the principal players in this downturn. Ethereum, having set a downward trend, plummeted by 4%, dragging it to a weekly low beneath the \(4,300 mark. Unable to shake off resistance at the \)4,700 level earlier in September, ETH’s retreat has dominated the scene.

Ripple wasn’t spared either, as it succumbed to losing its pivotal \(3 support over the weekend. Despite hopes and predictions for a climb to its all-time high, the asset dropped by more than 4% and is currently under \)2.9.

A Widespread Impact

The chaos didn’t stop with these market icons. Other altcoins like ADA, LINK, DOGE, and CRO have mirrored the bleak performance. Notably, CRO suffered a 9% dip attributable to a concerning data breach at the exchange backing it, adding another layer of distress to an already battered market.

Echoes of Capitulation

With the total cryptocurrency market cap diminishing by \(60 billion, falling to \)4.060 trillion, Bitcoin’s dominance has unexpectedly intensified to over 56%. Despite facing its own 1% markdown, BTC’s comparatively modest decline against other altcoins signifies its traditional role as a pillar during market instability.

A Glimpse of Green

Although rare during this wave of capitulation, IP stood out as one of the few altcoins sustaining a positive trajectory. Amidst a sea of red, its green status serves as a beacon of hope for some investors.

The Wider Picture

CoinGlass data throws light on the unsettling scene—\(630 million worth of digital positions were obliterated, with nearly 220,000 traders facing liquidation. Ethereum's overwhelming involvement spearheads this figure, contributing a significant \)184 million to the total liquidations.

Amid this financial tempest, the altcoin dependency trajectory, lessons learned, and market resilience remain compelling narratives within the dynamic environment of digital currencies.