What Is Altcoin Season? Trends, Cycles and Opportunities Explained
The crypto market moves in waves. Sometimes everything revolves around Bitcoin, while at other times altcoins surge ahead. These periods, in which altcoins outperform Bitcoin, are called altcoin seasons — or simply altseasons.
Altcoin season is a frequently discussed phenomenon in the crypto world. During such a phase, the prices of altcoins, such as Ethereum, Solana or Avalanche, often rise faster than those of Bitcoin. But what exactly causes such a period? How do you recognise it? And how often does it occur? In this article, we explain the dynamics of altseason, the signals, why it happens and how investors approach it.
In short:
Altcoin season = altcoins rise faster than Bitcoin
Bitcoin dominance declines
Sentiment is positive and risk appetite increases
Usually lasts several weeks to months
Often follows a strong Bitcoin rally
What Is Altcoin Season?
An altcoin season is a period in which altcoins, on average, outperform Bitcoin. During this phase, Bitcoin‘s market share (the so-called
Bitcoin dominance) decreases because capital shifts from Bitcoin to other cryptocurrencies.
During altseason, enthusiasm typically rises: investors look for higher returns in smaller projects, and market activity broadens beyond Bitcoin alone.
When Does Altseason Begin?
An altseason usually begins after a period of strong Bitcoin growth. Once Bitcoin reaches a new high and its price stabilises, investors shift their attention to altcoins in hopes of additional gains.
Historically, altseasons are often the result of capital rotation: money flows from Bitcoin into altcoins once market confidence increases.
Signals
The following signals may indicate the start of an altseason:
Declining Bitcoin dominance: When the percentage of total market value held in Bitcoin decreases, this often means altcoins are gaining ground.
Strong altcoin performance: Projects such as Ethereum, Cardano or Polkadot visibly outperform Bitcoin during the same period.
Rising trading volume in altcoins: Investors become more active in alternative projects.
Positive sentiment: On social media and in communities, the focus shifts from “Bitcoin only” to altcoin discussions.
Duration of Altseason
The duration of an altcoin season varies, but typically ranges between 4 and 12 weeks. Some shorter altseasons last only a few weeks, while broader cycles — such as in 2017 or early 2021 — continued for several months.
Frequency
Altcoin seasons generally occur during bull markets, when confidence in the crypto market is high. During bear markets, altcoins often lag behind because investors prefer the relative stability of Bitcoin.
Why Does Altcoin Season Occur?
Altcoin seasons are driven by market dynamics and psychology. The following factors often play a major role in the emergence of an altseason.
1. Capital rotation:
When Bitcoin reaches new highs, investors take profits. That capital is often reinvested into altcoins where additional growth potential is perceived.
2. Increased risk appetite:
In a positive market, investors are willing to take on more risk. Altcoins with smaller market capitalisations offer greater potential returns — but also higher risks.
3. Innovation and hype:
New trends, such as DeFi (Decentralized Finance) or NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens), attract significant attention and capital for a period of time.
4. Media attention:
When certain altcoins perform exceptionally well, news coverage and social media amplify the hype. This attracts new investors.
Altcoin season is therefore a cyclical and partly psychological phenomenon, driven by profit-taking, trends and investor behaviour.
How to Recognise Altseason
Recognising an altcoin season is about understanding market indicators. Three key signals play a role:
Bitcoin Dominance
Bitcoin dominance measures the percentage of the total crypto market that is held in Bitcoin. When dominance rises, it means Bitcoin is growing faster than altcoins. When dominance falls, it may indicate that altcoins are gaining ground — and that an altseason may have begun.
Many analysts follow Bitcoin dominance charts to identify early trends.
Altcoins Versus Bitcoin
A practical indicator is the performance of major altcoins compared to Bitcoin, expressed in trading pairs (such as ETH/BTC). When several large altcoins increase in value against Bitcoin, it often signals that the altcoin market is gaining momentum.
Sentiment
Sentiment is less measurable but crucial. On platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), Reddit and Telegram, a clear shift can usually be seen during an altseason:
Investors discuss new projects more frequently.
“Fear of missing out” (FOMO) increases.
Search interest in altcoins rises rapidly.
A combination of declining Bitcoin dominance, rising altcoin volumes and optimistic sentiment is often a strong indication that an altseason is underway.
Strategy During Altcoin Season
An altseason can be appealing but also carries risks.
Here are several considerations for investors and crypto enthusiasts:
1. Diversify your portfolio
While altcoins can offer high returns, they are often more volatile than Bitcoin. Diversification across multiple projects reduces the risk of a single asset dropping sharply.
2. Take profits
During altseasons, prices can rise quickly — but can also fall just as fast. Planning profit-taking moments helps ensure gains are not lost during a correction.
3. Focus on fundamentals
Not every altcoin has strong fundamentals. Projects with solid technology, active development and clear use-cases are more likely to hold value after an altseason.
4. Limit emotional decisions
FOMO (fear of missing out) is a common pitfall. Creating a plan in advance helps maintain rational decision-making.
5. Use reliable platforms
Trading altcoins requires trustworthy exchanges and secure wallets. At Coinmerce, you can easily buy, trade and manage altcoins, with support in English and transparent fees.
Will There Be an Altseason in 2026?
Whether there will be an altseason in 2026 is uncertain, but historically, altcoin seasons often follow a Bitcoin halving.
The next Bitcoin halving is expected in 2028, but the period after (2025–2026) could once again be favourable for altcoins. Many analysts see similarities with previous cycles.
In 2017, a strong Bitcoin rally was followed by an altseason. In 2021, Bitcoin reached new highs, after which altcoins surged. If this pattern repeats, 2026 could once again be a year in which altcoins outperform Bitcoin.
Importantly: markets change quickly, and past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Altcoin Season Index
This altcoin season index compares the performance of a range of altcoins to that of Bitcoin to determine whether we are currently in an altseason.
The index is intended as an educational tool, not as investment advice. By following the data, users can better understand when altcoins are structurally outperforming Bitcoin.
Frequently Asked Questions About Altseason
Which altcoins have strong potential?
Altcoins with strong technology, active development teams and clear applications within DeFi (Decentralized Finance) or blockchain infrastructure are often seen as more promising. Examples include Ethereum, Chainlink and Solana. However, personal research is essential: each coin has unique risks and objectives.
What are the top 10 altcoins?
The top 10 changes regularly, depending on market capitalisation and trading volume. Currently, Ethereum (ETH), Binance Coin (BNB), Solana (SOL), XRP and Cardano (ADA) are among the largest altcoins.
Will there be an altseason in 2026?
There are indications that 2026 could be favourable for altcoins, especially if Bitcoin‘s market cycle repeats. However, timing is challenging: altseason is not guaranteed, but rather a dynamic market phase.
When will the next altseason start?
Altseasons typically follow a period of strong Bitcoin growth, when investors take profits on Bitcoin and shift their capital into altcoins. The exact timing varies per cycle.