When Will Altcoin Season 2025 Start? Understanding the Next Alt Season and Key Indicators to Look For

When Will Altcoin Season 2025 Begin?

As we enter the second half of 2025, traders and traders are asking a familiar question: When will altcoin season start in 2025? With Bitcoin showing signs of consolidation and market sentiment shifting, attention is quickly turning to altcoins. Capital rotation, increasing volume, and changing dominance metrics suggest that we may be approaching a major altcoin cycle. Still, experts are split—some believe the season has already started, while others argue it’s just around the corner.

What is Altcoin Season? 

Altcoin season, often discussed in crypto circles and social media channels, refers to a period when most major altcoins significantly outperform Bitcoin. The most accepted metric for measuring this trend is the Altcoin Season Index, which declares altcoin season when at least 75% of the top 50 altcoins outperform Bitcoin over the previous 90 days.

Such periods are rare and have previously triggered major rallies. While some argue that the last proper altcoin season occurred in 2017, others point to 2021 as a breakout year. As of now, charts show Bitcoin still dominating, though underlying shifts in market behavior are raising expectations for change.

Why Altcoin Seasons Happen?

Altcoin seasons tend to emerge when Bitcoin hits a peak and starts to consolidate. When Bitcoin slows, traders often redirect capital into smaller altcoins in search of higher returns. This pattern was seen in late 2017, when Ethereum and XRP soared after Bitcoin plateaued at $20,000. Similarly, in 2021, Bitcoin's pause around $60,000 gave rise to rallies in Solana, Avalanche, and other altcoins.

In 2025, we see similar conditions forming. Bitcoin dominance (BTC.D) peaked at 65.38% in May and currently sits around 64.74%. A drop below 62% would align with patterns observed in past altcoin cycles. Traders are also spotting emerging narratives like AI, DeFi, and new blockchain infrastructure—all adding fuel to the possibility of a shift.

Key Alt Season Indicators to Watch in 2025

Traders serious about spotting altcoin season need to monitor a combination of metrics. Two of the most telling indicators are Bitcoin dominance trends and altcoin trading volume.

Bitcoin Dominance Trends

Bitcoin dominance is the percentage of the total crypto market value that Bitcoin represents. When it rises, Bitcoin is capturing most of the market’s attention. When it falls, it signals that traders are rotating into altcoins. Currently, BTC.D is near historical ceiling levels. Analysts from TradingView note that a sustained move below 62% would be a significant signal of a broader altcoin shift.

Trading Volume and Liquidity

A sustained altcoin season is driven by more than just a decline in Bitcoin dominance. It hinges on a broader shift in market dynamics—particularly trading volume, liquidity inflows, and overall market participation across the altcoin ecosystem. Rising volume across a wide range of altcoins, rather than isolated surges in a few high-profile tokens, is a strong indicator of maturing altcoin momentum.

The Altcoin Season Index currently sits at 18 (on a scale from 0 to 100), indicating that Bitcoin still maintains its market lead. However, a gradual uptick suggests that market sentiment is beginning to pivot. Historically, we’ve seen that certain technical indicators can foreshadow major cycles. For instance, the Golden Cross recorded in April 2021 preceded a significant altcoin rally. In a similar pattern, April 2025 marked another Golden Cross—signaling the potential for substantial growth if momentum sustains.

Traders aiming to anticipate the next leg of altcoin season should monitor a range of metrics. Key signals include daily trading volumes on platforms like CoinGecko and CoinMarketCap, liquidity shifts across exchanges such as Flipster and Binance, and growth in DeFi protocols and Layer 2 infrastructure.

Ultimately, capital movement remains one of the most telling indicators. When liquidity begins flowing into a broad base of altcoins, rather than concentrating in Bitcoin or a few speculative assets, it signals that the altcoin cycle is gaining traction—regardless of whether mainstream headlines have caught up.

Expert Predictions: When Will Altcoin Season Start?

Forecasting the start of altcoin season is far from an exact science. Market cycles are influenced by a complex web of factors, and unlike scheduled events, altcoin seasons unfold when market conditions align—often without a definitive starting point. Nonetheless, several market analysts are pointing to signs that suggest a transition is underway.

Valdrin Tahiri, Senior Analyst at CCN, has noted that a breakout in the total altcoin market capitalization (ALTCAP) could indicate that altcoin season began as early as May 2025. His analysis is supported by a series of bullish technical patterns, which he believes mark the beginning of a broader trend favoring altcoins.

Analysts at FXEmpire echo this sentiment, highlighting a convergence of several key indicators—namely, a drop in Bitcoin dominance, a rise in altcoin trading volume, and a shift in the Altcoin Season Index. These signals, they argue, suggest a gradual but consistent rotation of capital into the altcoin market.

Conversely, a more cautious outlook comes from BeInCrypto, which maintains that while momentum is building, macroeconomic uncertainty and regulatory developments may delay a full-fledged altcoin rally until late 2025 or early 2026. Their June 2025 market update advises traders to remain vigilant but patient.

Adding to the bullish outlook, Joao Wedson, CEO of Alphractal, stated in an interview with The Coin Republic that June 2025 marks the beginning of the next altcoin season. He forecasts a decline in Bitcoin dominance toward 60%, alongside an influx of capital into high-growth altcoin assets. While not all experts are fully aligned, there is a growing consensus that summer 2025 represents a pivotal window for altcoin activity.

Together, these perspectives underscore that although the precise timing remains uncertain, multiple indicators suggest that the foundation for a new altcoin season is taking shape.

Strategies for Traders Ahead of Altcoin Season

For traders closely watching Bitcoin dominance shift and tracking altcoin performance metrics, preparation is key—especially if altcoin season is nearing. Acting early, rather than waiting for headlines to confirm a rally, provides a strategic advantage.

Here are two foundational strategies that traders are turning to ahead of the possible next altcoin season: 

Portfolio Diversification

While altcoins present significant upside potential, they also come with increased volatility. A layered portfolio strategy helps balance these dynamics.

A core allocation might include well-established assets like Ethereum, Solana, and Avalanche—tokens with robust ecosystems and developer activity. The speculative layer could involve emerging narratives such as AI, DePIN, and Layer 2 projects, while a defensive buffer in stablecoins or Bitcoin offers liquidity for timely redeployment.

Thorough research is essential. It’s not enough to follow price trends—traders should focus on fundamentals such as developer engagement, total value locked (TVL), use cases, and community support. Risk management remains critical: using stop-loss orders, avoiding overleveraging, and scaling into positions can all help mitigate downside risk.

Staying Informed with Reliable Data

Equally important is staying informed through dependable data sources. In the world of crypto, success often hinges not on prediction but on being prepared with the right information. Traders should track price movements and volume trends across credible market aggregators and use on-chain analytics to assess the health and activity of different projects. Informed commentary and curated news can help filter out noise and sharpen market perspective.

Additionally, advanced trading dashboards and analytics platforms can offer real-time insights into liquidity movements, token flow dynamics, and shifts in market sentiment. These tools empower traders to act proactively—making decisions based on timely signals rather than reacting after the fact.

Navigating the Risks and Challenges of Altcoins Season

With growing anticipation around the next altcoin season, it’s important to remain level-headed and strategic. While the potential for high returns exists, altcoins also carry significant risks. Effective participation requires thoughtful preparation and risk awareness. These are some things to pay attention to:

• Volatility: One of the most prominent challenges is volatility. Altcoins are known for their rapid price movements, and double-digit swings within short timeframes are not uncommon. Traders should consider using tools like stop-loss orders and maintain diversified position sizing. Regular portfolio reviews and rebalancing can also help mitigate downside exposure.

• Late Buying: Late entry into the market is another common pitfall. When altcoin season charts reflect euphoric gains and headlines begin touting massive returns, the most significant price action may already have occurred. Entering trades at this stage often results in exposure to abrupt corrections.

• Regulatory Uncertainty: Regulatory uncertainty also plays a critical role. In 2025, the landscape continues to evolve with heightened regulatory scrutiny and new frameworks, such as the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation in Europe. Altcoins without clear utility, transparent development, or sound governance are particularly susceptible to negative impacts. Staying updated on regional and global compliance requirements is essential to manage this risk.

Preparing for Altcoin Season 2025

Whether altcoin season 2025 is already underway or still on the horizon, the foundational market shifts are increasingly evident. Bitcoin dominance is hovering near historically significant levels, capital is rotating, and emerging narratives are gaining traction. These conditions suggest that now is the ideal time to plan, not react.

Traders should prioritize preparation rooted in data-driven decision-making. Diversifying across sectors, conducting rigorous research, and aligning investments with identifiable trends such as DeFi, Layer 2 scaling solutions, or AI-linked tokens can offer a strategic advantage.

Monitoring altcoin season charts and tracking shifts in liquidity and sentiment help refine market entry points. The most successful strategies stem from anticipating change—not from following it. Altcoin cycles reward those who stay informed, practice risk discipline, and act decisively.

As the altcoin cycle progresses, remember that timing is critical. By the time broad confirmation arrives, much of the momentum may have passed. Staying ready, rather than waiting for perfect signals, remains the most professional approach to capitalizing on altcoin season 2025. Disclaimer: This material is for information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Flipster makes no recommendations or guarantees in respect of any digital asset, product, or service. Trading digital assets and digital asset derivatives comes with a significant risk of loss due to its high price volatility, and is not suitable for all investors. Please refer to our Terms.