Altcoin season is underway: These are the altcoins that are already starting to move

Experts anticipate a new altseason as capital rotates from Bitcoin to Ethereum and other cryptocurrencies. Is the altcoin bull cycle beginning? Here we explain the key signs.

In the crypto ecosystem, “altcoin season” refers to a period in which alternative cryptocurrencies to Bitcoin, such as Ethereum, Solana, Avalanche, among others, are experiencing accelerated growth in price, volume, and market attention. This phenomenon is often marked by a capital shift away from Bitcoin toward more speculative assets, but with potential for technological innovation and institutional adoption.

The importance of this cycle is not minor. Historically, altseasons have been moments of expansion of the crypto market as a whole, where new projects gain visibility, investors' portfolios diversify, and the development of decentralized infrastructure accelerates. In the last significant altseason, in 2021, we saw Ethereum reach new all-time highs, Solana cement itself as a scalability contender, and Cardano garner attention for its advancements in smart contracts.

Today, although the Blockchain Center index still indicates that we are in Bitcoin season, analysts are beginning to detect a shift in the narrative. BTC's dominance has begun to lose ground, and speculative capital is showing signs of rotation.With an altcoin market capitalization now exceeding $1,58 trillion according to CoinMarketCap, the stage is set for a new cycle. So the question is no longer whether there will be an altseason, but when it will actually begin.

Signs of rotation: Are we on the cusp of an altseason?

For the past few months, analysts and traders have been anticipating a structural shift in the dynamics of the crypto market. Although Bitcoin remains the dominant cryptocurrency, its relative share is beginning to decline. From its all-time high of $123.091, BTC's dominance has dropped from 63% to 59% in the last month, while Ethereum and Solana have shown sustained momentum in this area. This drop in BTC dominance is usually an early sign of a rotation toward altcoins, as has occurred in previous cycles.

Futures volume also reinforces this hypothesis. In recent days, more than $223.000 billion has been traded in futures contracts on ETH and other altcoins, the highest level in five months. This increase in volume not only reflects increased speculative interest but also latent bullish pressure that could trigger broader market movements.

Another revealing fact is that Bitcoin currently represents only 17% of trading volume on centralized exchanges (CEXs), while Ethereum and other altcoins account for the remaining 83%. For experts, this shift in volume distribution suggests a transformation in the behavior of market participants, who are now seeking opportunities outside of the core asset.

Taken together, all these signs point to a transition. Although an altseason has not yet been confirmed in technical terms, the market appears to be in a preparation phase. The narrative is beginning to shift, and alternative assets are gaining prominence.

Altcoins on the Move: Which Ones Are Driving the Momentum?

While the overall crypto market showed strength following Bitcoin's new ATH, the most striking aspect was the reaction of altcoins. 

Ethereum Bitcoin is leading the charge, consolidating its position as Bitcoin's main competitor. Its transaction volume, smart contract activity, and institutional presence keep it at the center of the emerging altseason. Solana, for its part, has shown a notable recovery, with sustained increases in price and activity in DeFi and NFTs. Avalanche, chainlink y Polygon They also register significant movements, driven by technical updates and new use cases.

Beyond the well-known names, there are also signs of life in smaller-cap projects with solid fundamentals. Tokens linked to artificial intelligence, interoperability, and privacy are beginning to gain attention. In this context, investors are looking not only for yield, but also for technological proposals that can sustain themselves over the long term.

The key is identifying which altcoins have the potential to lead this new cycle. It's not just about speculation, but about understanding which assets are aligned with emerging trends in the crypto ecosystem. And for now, the market seems to be rewarding projects that combine utility, an active community, and a vision for the future.

Specifically, Blockchain Center's altcoin index indicates that Pudgy Penguins (PENGU), Ethena (ENA), Hyperliquid (HYPE), Uniswap (UNI), Cronos (CRO), Wrapped Beacon ETH (WBETH), Ethereum (ETH), Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Stellar (XLM), Aave (AAVE), Tron (TRX), Chainlink (LINK), BNB Chain (BNB), Ripple (XRP), Mantle (MNT), Hedera (HBAR) and Litecoin (LTC) These are the altcoins that have performed the best against Bitcoin over the past 90 days, with increases of up to 130%. 

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The return of retail interest and the change of narrative

One of the most revealing indicators of the cycle's shift is retail investor behavior. In recent weeks, BTC transactions under $10.000 have increased by 9,7%, suggesting a return of retail interest. Furthermore, searches such as "how to buy ETH" are at their highest level in two years, reflecting renewed interest in altcoins.

This type of behavior usually anticipates phases of FOMO (fear of missing out), where retail capital is pouring into the market, further driving up prices. While we're not there yet, the data suggests the ground is fertile for accelerated expansion.

Finally, the market narrative is also shifting. While Bitcoin remains the benchmark, more and more industry voices are highlighting the role of altcoins as catalysts for innovation. From institutional analysts to ecosystem influencers, the discourse is shifting toward the diversification, utility, and growth potential of alternative assets.

In this context, altseason isn't just a price phenomenon, but a reconfiguration of the crypto market. If the historical pattern repeats itself, we could be days away from the start of a true altcoin season, and this time, with a more mature infrastructure, greater institutional adoption, and a more diverse ecosystem, the impact could be even more profound than in previous cycles.