What Is Altcoin Season? Your 2025 Best Guide to Crypto Gains
Picture this: Bitcoin’s been on a tear, climbing to dizzying heights, but now it’s chilling, catching its breath. Meanwhile, your group chat’s buzzing about Solana, Cardano, and some meme coin nobody’s heard of—each one spiking like it’s got Red Bull in its code. That, my friend, is the vibe of altcoin season. It’s when the crypto market flips the script, and the underdogs—those coins that aren’t Bitcoin— this is your cheat code to understanding what is altcoin season and how to ride its wave without wiping out.
This post is your stylish, no-BS guide to altcoin season. I’m not here to preach or hype you up with promises of Lambos. I’m showing you what’s cool, like we’re cracking open a cold one at a backyard BBQ, but with a Rolex-level edge. Using insights from the crypto trenches, I’ll break down what altcoin season is, how to spot it, and why it’s the talk of every crypto bro’s timeline. Let’s dive in.
Table of Contents
What Is Altcoin Season, Anyway?
Altcoin season, or “altseason,” is when altcoins—every cryptocurrency that’s not Bitcoin—go on a tear, outpacing Bitcoin’s price gains. Think of Bitcoin as the headliner at a festival. When it’s done rocking the stage, the crowd shifts to the side stages where altcoins like Ethereum, Solana, or even Dogecoin are dropping bangers. Altseason is marked by “massive gains and high volatility,” driven by investors chasing higher returns after Bitcoin’s rally cools off.
It’s not just about price spikes. Altseason is a vibe shift. Bitcoin’s dominance—its share of the total crypto market cap—takes a hit, dropping as altcoins gobble up attention. CoinGecko notes that altcoins started flexing when Bitcoin’s dominance fell from 55% to 50% in November 2024. It’s like the market’s saying, “Bitcoin’s cool, but have you seen what these other coins are doing?”
How Do You Know It’s Altcoin Season?
Spotting altcoin season is like knowing when to jump into a hypebeast sneaker drop—you need the right signals. Here’s how the pros do it:
The Altcoin Season Index
The Altcoin Season Index is your go-to metric. It tracks the top 100 altcoins (minus stablecoins like Tether or asset-backed tokens like WBTC) over 90 days. If 75% of them outperform Bitcoin, it’s altseason. If 25% or fewer do, it’s Bitcoin’s time to shine. As of May 8, 2025, the index sits at 27, signalling Bitcoin season, but it hit 87 in December 2024, per CoinMarketCap, when altcoins were popping off.
Bitcoin Dominance Dips
When Bitcoin’s market share shrinks, altcoins usually eat its lunch. Blockchain Centre points out that a drop from, say, 70% to 38% (like in 2020-2021) is a classic altseason tell. It’s like the king stepping back, letting the court jesters run wild.
Trading Volume Spikes
Altcoins start moving serious volume during altseason. CoinGecko flagged this in late 2024 when Solana and others saw trading activity explode. More trades mean more FOMO, and that’s the fuel altseason runs on.
Why Does Altcoin Season Happen?
Altcoin season isn’t random—it’s a mix of market psychology and straight-up greed (in a good way). Here’s the breakdown:
Bitcoin’s Pause Button
Bitcoin often kicks off a bull run, pulling the whole market up. But when it hits a plateau, investors get itchy. Forbes explains that altseason tends to hit in the final year of Bitcoin’s four-year halving cycle, when BTC’s gains slow, and folks chase bigger returns elsewhere.
FOMO and Hype
Nothing screams altseason like FOMO. Investors see one coin—say, Shiba Inu—skyrocket, and they pile in, hoping to catch the next one. Tangem calls this the “cascading impact” of enthusiasm, where one coin’s surge lights a fire under the rest.
New Tech and Trends
Altseasons often ride the wave of innovation. The 2017-2018 season was all about ICOs, per AlphaPoint. In 2020-2021, DeFi and NFTs were the spark. Right now, whispers of altcoin ETFs (like for Solana or XRP) could be the next catalyst, as Tangem predicts for 2025.
A Quick Look Back: Altcoin Seasons That Shaped the Game
History’s your best teacher. Here’s a snapshot of two iconic altseasons that show what’s possible—and what to watch for.
| Period | What Happened | Bitcoin Dominance Drop | Key Drivers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-2018 | ICO mania took over. Bitcoin’s dominance crashed from 86.3% to 38.69%. BTC price slid from $20,000 to $6,000. | 86.3% to 38.69% | ICOs like Tezos and EOS raised billions. |
| 2020-2021 | Meme coins (Dogecoin, Shiba Inu) and DeFi exploded. NFTs went mainstream. Dominance fell from 70% to 38%. | 70% to 38% | DeFi, NFTs, and pandemic-era risk appetite. |
Data sourced from Tangem and CoinMarketCap.
How to Play Altcoin Season Without Getting Burned
Altcoin season’s like a high-stakes poker game—thrilling, but you gotta know when to hold or fold. Here’s how to flex without losing your shirt:
Do Your Homework
Research is your wingman. Check out coins with strong fundamentals, like Cardano or Stellar, which have been tipped for altseason runs. Look at their tech, team, and community buzz. Twitter’s a goldmine for sentiment—just don’t fall for shills.
Time Your Moves
Use technical analysis to spot entry points. Tangem suggests watching support/resistance levels and the Relative Strength Index (RSI) to avoid buying at the peak. It’s like timing your jump into a double-Dutch rope—patience is key.
Protect Your Bag
Altcoins are volatile. Tangem notes a 357.2% spike in stolen funds during 2021’s altseason ($0.47 billion). Use a cold wallet to keep your coins safe. Think of it as locking your Rolex in a safe before a wild night out.
Diversify, Don’t YOLO
Spread your bets across a few coins. KuCoin advises against going all-in on one altcoin, no matter how much it’s pumping. Mix some established names (Ethereum, Solana) with smaller bets on up-and-comers.
What’s Next for Altcoin Season in 2025?
As of May 8, 2025, we’re in Bitcoin season, with the Altcoin Season Index at 27, per CoinMarketCap. But the tea leaves suggest altseason’s brewing. Forbes predicts a big one soon, fueled by Fed rate cuts and Trump’s crypto-friendly moves, like a proposed Bitcoin reserve. Tangem adds that altcoin ETFs could drop in April 2025, sending coins like Solana and XRP into overdrive.
Keep an eye on Bitcoin’s dominance. If it dips below 50% again, like it did in late 2024 per CoinGecko, altcoins could take the wheel. It’s like waiting for the DJ to switch from house to trap—when the beat drops, you’ll know.
The Risks You Can’t Ignore
Altcoin season’s a party, but it’s not all champagne and confetti. Prices can crash as fast as they climb— Altcoins are “high-risk, high-reward.” Scams pop up like roaches, and pump-and-dump schemes are real. Stick to reputable exchanges, and don’t trust every “insider tip” on Discord. Also, taxes are a thing—track your trades unless you want the IRS knocking.
Wrapping It Up: Your Playbook for Altcoin Season
So, what is altcoin season? It’s when altcoins outshine Bitcoin, driven by FOMO, innovation, and market cycles. Spot it with tools like the Altcoin Season Index or by watching Bitcoin’s dominance dip. Play it smart with research, timing, and security, and you could catch some serious gains. But stay sharp—altseason’s a rollercoaster, and you don’t want to be the guy who misses the exit.
FAQs About Altcoin Season
What Is Altcoin Season Exactly?
Altcoin season is when altcoins—think Ethereum, Solana, or even Dogecoin—outperform Bitcoin, often after BTC’s price stalls. It’s a market shift where these coins spike hard, driven by investor FOMO and hype. Tangem nails it: massive gains, high volatility, and a dip in Bitcoin’s dominance.
How Can I Tell If It’s Altcoin Season?
When Does Altcoin Season Usually Happen?
It often hits after Bitcoin’s big run, typically in the last year of its four-year halving cycle. Forbes pegs late 2024 to early 2025 as a hot window, especially with catalysts like Fed rate cuts or new altcoin ETFs.
What Causes Altcoin Season to Start?
It’s a mix of Bitcoin cooling off and investors chasing bigger gains. FOMO kicks in as one coin pumps, sparking a chain reaction. Trends like ICOs in 2017 or NFTs in 2021 also fuel it, per AlphaPoint. Right now, altcoin ETFs could be the next trigger, says Tangem.
Is Altcoin Season Risky?
Which Coins Should I Watch During Altcoin Season?
How Long Does Altcoin Season Last?
It varies—usually weeks to a few months. The 2017-2018 season stretched through late 2017 into early 2018, while 2020-2021 peaked around April 2021, per CoinMarketCap. It’s a sprint, not a marathon, so timing matters.
Can I Still Make Money If I Miss the Start?
Absolutely, but you’ll need to be strategic. Focus on coins with momentum, use technical analysis like RSI to find entry points, and don’t chase peaks. Tangem suggests jumping into presales or undervalued coins to catch the tail end of the wave.
