Altcoin Season: A Comprehensive Guide

Recently, the most popular cryptocurrencies and DeFi protocol tokens have grown by tens and even hundreds of percent. Thus, over the past 30 days, ETH has increased in price by approximately 24%, ADA 48.11%, LINK 80%, AVAX 135%, SOL 141.66%, and BTC is also not far behind, having risen in price by 27.8%. 

For how much longer will this expansion persist, and how extensive will its coverage be in terms of coins? There is a divergence of opinions within the crypto community regarding the proximity of the altcoin season, with some anticipating its arrival imminently and others predicting a delay of a few months. Let’s explore the indicators that signify the commencement of the altcoin season and identify the most promising alternative cryptocurrencies.

What is Altcoin Season?

Altcoin season, or simply altseason, is a term among crypto traders that refers to a period of active one-time growth of alternative cryptocurrencies. Traditionally, the alt season unfolds when investors redirect funds from BTC into alternative coins, aiming to diversify their portfolios and amplify returns. This substantial influx of capital propels cryptocurrencies with medium and small capitalization into rapid growth, often reaching double-digit or even triple-digit percentage increases.

Exploring the Concept of Altcoins in the Crypto Space

In the dynamic realm of crypto, altcoins represent a diverse array of digital assets beyond the ubiquitous Bitcoin. These alternative cryptocurrencies, ranging from Ethereum to the latest decentralized finance (DeFi) tokens, form a fundamental component of the market. As we delve into the concept of altcoins, it’s critical to recognize their distinctive features and roles. Altcoins often serve as platforms for innovative blockchain apps, presenting investors with options for diversification. The ongoing discourse surrounding the onset of altcoin season further underscores the significance of gasping these alternative digital assets and navigating the evolving landscape of the crypto market.

Understanding the Cyclical Nature of Altcoin Seasons

Deciphering the rhythmic cadence of altcoin seasons involves navigating the cyclical patterns inherent in the broader crypto market. These cycles pivot between bullish and bearish trends, shaping the ebb and flow of market dynamics.

In the realm of a bullish market, buyers seize control, anticipating upward asset trajectories to capitalize on potential gains. Conversely, the bear market signals a shift, prompting sellers to liquidate their holdings before asset values decline.

During bullish phases, digital assets commonly ascend, creating an auspicious backdrop for altcoins. Investors actively seek opportunities to optimize profits, riding the upward momentum characteristic of these bullish cycles. This intricate dance between buyer optimism and seller caution defines the nuanced landscape of altcoin seasons within the larger cryptocurrency narrative.

Factors Influencing the Onset of Altcoin Seasons

Navigating the enigmatic realm of altcoin seasons involves decoding an intricate interplay of diverse factors that set the stage for these intriguing market phenomena. While pinpointing the exact catalysts behind alt seasons remains elusive, several influential elements contribute to their emergence.

1. Shifting Interest in Bitcoin Dominance:

The ebb and flow of alt coin seasons often coincide with fluctuations in Bitcoin’s dominance. A decline in Bitcoin’s supremacy prompts traders to diversify their portfolios, seeking alternative cryptocurrencies. This redistribution of market cap toward non-BTC assets characterizes the onset of alt seasons. On the flip side, surges in Bitcoin prices might discourage prospective investors, directing their attention and interest towards alternative cryptocurrencies.

2. Emerging Crypto Trends:

The introduction of new altcoins or updates to existing ones can spark excitement and heightened demand. This is particularly evident when these altcoins align with broader trends, presenting unique features or solutions. For instance, the rise of DeFi, NFTs, and the more recent emergence of Web3 has fueled distinct waves of altcoin seasons.

3. Bullish Sentiment in the Broader Economy:

A robust economy, a bullish stock market, and positive sentiments within the crypto sphere collectively influence the acceptance of altcoins. During bullish phases, the appetite for risk and higher returns propels even smaller market cap altcoins upward, contributing to the overall altcoin market cap.

Fundamentally, the interplay of market sentiment, evolving trends, and technological progress intertwines to mold the course of altcoin seasons. Those investors and traders who possess a thorough grasp of these elements are more adept at maneuvering through the ever-changing terrain, capitalizing on opportunities, and fine-tuning their approaches to maximize potential gains.

How long is the Altcoin Season?

The duration of the altcoin season can vary, and it is not fixed. It is generally identified by shifts in market trends rather than specific timeframes. These seasons typically occur when a considerable number of alternative coins outperform Bitcoin over a certain period, often spanning a few weeks to a couple of months. The alt coin season’s length is determined by market dynamics, investor sentiment, and the overall performance of different assets in relation to Bitcoin. As such, the duration is subjective and subject to change based on the evolving conditions within the crypto market.

The Alt Season Index

The Altcoin Season Index serves as a valuable gauge to assess our standing in the altseason landscape. Experienced crypto traders can use the Altcoin Season Index to make decisions about whether they should move their funds into or out of Bitcoin. Represented graphically over monthly and yearly intervals, it encapsulates historical trends and offers a snapshot of the present scenario. Referring to the chart, the most recent altcoin season spanned from August to September 2022. 

Is it altcoin season now? No, it is not. Altcoin season is declared when 75% of the top 50 crypto assets outperform Bitcoin during the last season, which spans 90 days. Stablecoins such as Tether and DAI, as well as asset-backed tokens like WBTC, stETH, and cLINK, are excluded from this assessment. 

Currently, the altseason Index registers at 33, indicating that the conditions for altseason are not currently prevalent. The entirety of 2023 has indeed been Bitcoin season, but the index is starting to turn around.

Do whatever you want about it.

Best Altcoins for Altseason

It’s hard to choose a few alternative coins when there are so many successful crypto projects. Experts suggest focusing on how a coin performs in the crypto market. This includes looking at market capitalization, trading volume, and price change. In addition, any worthy project has a clear road map and demonstrates innovative improvements to its ecosystem. Below are some of the worthy cryptocurrency alternatives to Bitcoin:

Binance Coin (BNB)

If you are somehow connected to the cryptocurrency world, you have already heard the name Binance. The exchange was founded back in 2017 and is considered the largest platform for trading crypto assets in the world. The crypto exchange has its own cryptocurrency BNB or Binance Coin. It is a leading utility token that is attracting a lot of interest from traders. At first, this coin was on the Ethereum blockchain as an ERC-20 standard token. But then, Binance made its own blockchain platform. In April 2023, the statistics showed that the platform does over 1.4 million transactions per second. It’s one of the top cryptocurrencies in this area.

One of the biggest benefits of Binance Coin is that traders get a discount on Binance fees. In addition to trading on the Binance exchange, you can invest in this coin to earn passive income. Plus, you can also shop online for gift cards, entertainment, travel, bill payments, and more. However, one of the biggest drawbacks of BNB is that its progress is directly tied to the reputation of the Binance exchange. This means that it is very difficult for this cryptocurrency to move forward on its own, and any problems with Binance have a direct impact on the reputation of BNB.

Ethereum (ETH)

This altcoin needs no introduction. Ethereum is the most popular alternative to Bitcoin, which has wider opportunities and prospects. In the years since its launch, Ethereum has inspired many other projects using smart contract functionality, including other blockchain platforms. He has also been at the forefront of several major trends in the cryptocurrency space, including ICOs, DeFi, and NFTs. 

Ethereum is going through some interesting changes that will bring big improvements. One of these changes is the Ethereum 2.0 update. It will make Ethereum faster, more secure, and more stable. There are also other solutions being developed to make transactions on the Ethereum network faster and cheaper. ETH is the number one altcoin, so it definitely deserves a place in investors’ crypto portfolio.

Solana (SOL)

Solana was designed to run smart contracts to compete with Ethereum as a platform for running dApps, and its ecosystem is growing rapidly. The SOL altcoin is currently ranked 6th in terms of market capitalization. It is also one of the top 8 cryptocurrencies that has seen the highest price increase in the last 30 days.

Solana is known for its high performance. The maximum theoretical throughput of Solana is 50 thousand transactions per second. In addition to transaction speed, traders also note low fees. The Solana project is eco-friendly. It focuses on energy efficiency and takes steps to minimize the network’s environmental impact. A report published by the foundation stated that a transaction on the Solana network requires less energy than 2 Google searches.

Ripple (XRP)

Ripple is an American technology company behind the RippleNet payment system and the XRP coin. Ripple has partnerships with many banks and companies in various places. They have had several wins in the SEC case since 2020, which made investors very excited about XRP’s growth. Currently, it is one position ahead of Solana in the crypto ranking. XRP token has increased by about 25% in the past 30 days. This is much less than its neighbor, which has gained 136.58% in value. This might be a good opportunity for investors to get in. XRP is expected to show high-profile growth during altcoin season.

Cardano (ADA)

The Cardano (ADA) cryptocurrency closes our list of top altcoins. The crypto project has a large market capitalization. This makes the token one of the top 10 cryptocurrencies. In the past 30 days, the value of ADA has increased by more than 50%.

In terms of technology, the crypto is not that innovative. And it has many powerful competitors. However, the Cardano developers have a whole global plan or road map, as it is also called. Many of the goals on the map have already been achieved, some are yet to come. By 2024, the plan is to attract at least three organizations from the world’s largest companies, known as the “Fortune 500,” to invest in the coin.

FAQ

How does Altcoin Season differ from the general cryptocurrency market trend?

Altcoin Season is different from the overall crypto market trend. It happens when the value and trading activity of alternative cryptocurrencies go up. At the same time, Bitcoin dominance goes down.

How can I identify if we’re in an Altcoin Season?

To determine if we’re in an Altcoin Season, we need to watch for a big rise in the value and trading volumes of different alternative cryptocurrencies. Additionally, we should look for a possible decrease in Bitcoin’s dominance and a greater interest in the altcoin market.

Should I invest in altcoins during Altcoin Season?

It’s a good idea to have a strategic approach to investing in altcoins before Altcoin Season. Prices are usually lower outside the season, so buying then can lead to better returns when altcoin prices surge during the season.

Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that the content of this article is not financial or investing advice. The information provided is the author’s opinion only and should not be considered as direct recommendations for trading or investment. Any article reader or website visitor should consider multiple viewpoints and become familiar with all local regulations before cryptocurrency investment. We do not make any warranties about reliability and accuracy of this information.