Is altcoin season coming? Analysts weigh in
With Bitcoin dominance over the crypto market showing subtle signs of weakening, crypto analysts are now split on when the true altcoin season will arrive.
According to data from CoinGecko, the altcoin market cap has fallen nearly 42% from its all-time high of over $1.89 trillion, reached in early December last year. The rally at the time was driven by the hype surrounding Donald Trump’s U.S. presidential election victory, which fueled hopes of a more favorable regulatory environment for crypto.
However, despite such measures now in place, the altcoin market hasn’t bounced back. Ethereum ( ETH ), the biggest altcoin, is still down 17.3% over the past month. Other major names like XRP ( XRP ), Solana ( SOL ), Dogecoin ( DOGE ), and Cardano ( ADA ) have also taken hits, falling anywhere from 14% to 30%.
As the bearish momentum shows no sign of leaving the altcoin markets, the crypto community is watching closely for signs of the next altcoin season and when to dive in.
For altcoins to start rallying, Bitcoin dominance needs to drop; at least, that’s what several market experts are telling their followers.
According to pseudonymous trader Daan Crypto Trades, altcoin dominance has struggled to gain momentum due to Bitcoin’s continued strength and the growing stablecoin market .
“For altcoins to gain back dominance against BTC, stables, and the other majors, you need to see ETH/BTC gain some momentum first,” said Daan.
He explained that without Ethereum leading the way, a broader altcoin breakout is unlikely since most coins are built on Ethereum and many liquidity pools are ETH-denominated. A strong ETH performance, he added, tends to create the kind of wealth effect needed for the rest of the altcoin market to rally.
Daan emphasized that while short-lived altcoin rallies do happen, a sustained trend usually starts with high-timeframe confirmation, often following a retest after the initial breakout. Until then, he suggests patience or strategic dollar-cost averaging into fundamentally strong projects.
In a statement to crypto.news, Georgii Verbitskii, founder of TYMIO, agreed that altcoins are currently in a “waiting game.”
According to him, “a true altseason, in the classic sense where Bitcoin consolidates and altcoins rally independently, can be expected only after Bitcoin breaks its previous all-time high.”
Until then, he believes investors will keep viewing altcoins as the riskier side of crypto, which is why big money is likely to remain on the sidelines for now.
Echoing similar sentiments, Real Vision’s chief crypto analyst Jamie Coutts believes the market will see “one last rally” this cycle, possibly by June, but only those with real utility and active networks are likely to benefit.
“Activity drives prices,” Coutts said , noting that only “quality altcoins” will see meaningful recoveries.
Meanwhile, technical analyst Rekt Capital argues that altseason is inevitable but will only begin once Bitcoin dominance starts to decline, likely from around the 71% mark, according to a chart he shared. When writing, Bitcoin’s dominance stood at 62.1%.
"Will there ever be another #Altseason ?" Yes, the next time #BTC Dominance collapses Which is likely going to start from ~71% (red) $BTC #Crypto #Bitcoin pic.twitter.com/G8am7joVqf
Market commentator Sensei suggests Bitcoin dominance may have already peaked, pointing to a rising wedge pattern on the BTC Dominance chart, a formation that analysts view as early signs of a potential reversal. See below.
Despite the optimism shared by some analysts, altcoin season isn’t here yet, at least not according to some of the crypto industry’s go-to indicators.
For instance, Capriole’s Altcoin Speculation Index, which tracks investor appetite for high-risk altcoins, has dropped to 12%, down over 50% since December. Meanwhile, CoinMarketCap’s Altcoin Season Index, which compares altcoin performance to Bitcoin over 90 days, sits at just 14 out of 100, signalling a market still firmly in “Bitcoin Season.”
Ignore Tariff Noise: Pal & Coutts Point to Liquidity as the Key Bitcoin Driver
Blockchain analysts Raoul Pal and Jamie Coutts remain bullish on Bitcoin and crypto prices long-term, citing prevailing liquidity conditions, even as geopolitical and socioeconomic decisions, like the recent Trump tariffs, trigger short-term volatility.
In a recent podcast , Pal highlighted liquidity’s influence, noting digital assets like Bitcoin aligned with changing liquidity trends over the past three months.
While acknowledging the impact of Trump’s tariff decisions on recent price action, Pal believes liquidity variations since late last year have played a more fundamental market role.
Pal noted financial conditions are easing quickly, a development he thinks favors bullish outcomes for crypto. Comparing Bitcoin’s performance to mainstream stocks, he cited the digital asset’s leadership role in the current market cycle.
Related: Trump Says ‘Boom’, Market Proves ‘Bust’: Tariffs Cause Massive Sell-Off
Real Vision’s Chief Crypto Analyst, Jamie Coutts, agreed with Pal’s explanation regarding liquidity’s influence. However, Coutts stressed the unpredictability of how the Trump administration’s tariff policies could play out. He argued the tariff fallout pressures the Federal Reserve to act, potentially warranting a swift response from asset prices.
Coutts theorized the ripple effect from tariffs could trigger a growth shock requiring subsequent stimulus, cascading into a bullish phase for risk assets like Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies. He did, however, acknowledge potential for surprising short-term price action and uncertainty, as other macro policies could influence trends.
Coutts compared Bitcoin investment to “playing a probability game with the central banks.”
Related: Bitcoin’s Trump Tariff Test: Down to $82k, Can $78k Support Endure?
He suggested that while long-term expectations based on macro conditions are relatively clear, investors must endure potential short-term volatility driven by specific events to achieve long-term goals.
Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is for informational and educational purposes only. The article does not constitute financial advice or advice of any kind. Coin Edition is not responsible for any losses incurred as a result of the utilization of content, products, or services mentioned. Readers are advised to exercise caution before taking any action related to the company.
Analyzing Ripple’s Choice of Singapore for Key XRPL Apex 2025 Summit
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse confirmed his attendance at XRPL Apex 2025, the annual summit for the XRP Ledger community, scheduled for June 10–12 in Singapore, generating excitement about Ripple’s focus on blockchain innovation.
Garlinghouse’s brief teaser tweet spurred interest among developers, investors, fintechs, and web3 startups preparing to showcase XRPL projects.
The event , branded as the “largest annual summit for the XRPL community,” will feature interactive workshops, live demos, and hands-on sessions with Ripple’s latest technology alongside keynotes and panels . Both Ripple and XRPL enthusiasts anticipate updates on the evolving ecosystem.
Related: SEC vs Ripple Latest: What Recent Twists Mean for XRP’s Future Clarity
Ripple’s choice of Singapore likely reflects a strategic focus on Asia as a crypto innovation hub and an effort to build alliances in regulatory-forward markets while expanding its global developer base.
With Ripple emphasizing real-world utility and seeking regulatory clarity (particularly in the U.S.), Apex 2025 might serve as a platform for significant announcements regarding tokenization, DeFi integrations, or CBDC partnerships.
The summit offers attendees three days of learning, networking, and direct engagement with builders on the XRP Ledger, showcasing Ripple’s continued global expansion and ecosystem investment despite ongoing US legal challenges.
However, contrasting with the forward-looking event news, the price chart for XRP showed weakness.
Related: Enterprise Focus: Ripple Integrates RLUSD Stablecoin into Core Payments
Technical analysts note XRP has broken below a head-and-shoulders pattern on its daily chart , a formation typically suggesting a potential downward trend. This analysis projects a possible significant price decrease, with some chartists eyeing targets near $1.30.
Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is for informational and educational purposes only. The article does not constitute financial advice or advice of any kind. Coin Edition is not responsible for any losses incurred as a result of the utilization of content, products, or services mentioned. Readers are advised to exercise caution before taking any action related to the company.