The crypto market moves in cycles. One week it’s dead silent, the next it’s exploding with 10x tokens out of nowhere. This isn’t random. This is altseason.
In this article, we’ll break down what altseason is, why it happens, how to identify it early — and, most importantly, how not to get wrecked when it ends.
What is altseason
Altseason (short for “altcoin season”) is a period when altcoins significantly outperform bitcoin in terms of returns.
Typically, it starts after a strong bitcoin rally. As BTC stabilizes, capital begins rotating into altcoins: first ethereum, then major caps, then mid and low caps — and eventually into pure speculation territory.
In a full-blown altseason, the entire market goes green. Dozens of tokens gain 20% or more in a single day. Momentum fuels more momentum.
Why does altseason happen
Altseason is driven by a mix of investor psychology, capital rotation, and narrative hype.
• Investor psychology: once bitcoin “already pumped,” people search for the next big thing
• Capital rotation: profits from BTC are moved into altcoins with higher upside potential
• Hype cycles: each altseason comes with dominant narratives — defi, gamefi, layer-2, ai tokens, meme coins
It’s not about fundamentals. It’s about liquidity, timing, and attention.
How to recognize altseason
• Key indicators that altseason is underway:
• Bitcoin stabilizes or grows slowly
• Bitcoin dominance drops — meaning altcoins are rising faster than BTC
• Trading volume shifts into alts across exchanges
• Google trends spikes for searches like “best altcoins,” “crypto under $1,” or “next 100x coin”
One helpful metric: the altcoin season index.
When it’s above 75, you’re likely deep in altseason territory.
How to prepare for altseason
What you should do:
• Build a portfolio of fundamentally strong altcoins
• Track sector rotations — what themes are leading (ai, l2s, gamefi, etc.)
• Set clear exit targets in advance
• Use a staged entry strategy — avoid going all-in at once
What you must avoid:
• Chasing illiquid or unknown tokens
• Buying purely based on hype or influencer calls
• Entering without a clear exit plan
• Getting greedy on every pump
Altseason is like a tidal wave. It lifts everyone, then crashes hard. Your only job is to ride it strategically and get off before it breaks.
How altseason ends
Altseason always ends the same way: fast and brutal.
• Bitcoin dumps → altcoins collapse even harder
• Panic kicks in → traders rush to the exits
• Retail investors hold the bag
• Momentum dies → months of stagnation follow
Example: in may 2021, the market crashed violently after BTC peaked at $65,000. Most altcoins dropped 70–90% in a matter of weeks.
Final thoughts
Altseason isn’t a gift — it’s a stress test.
It gives you the chance to earn 3x, 5x, even 10x returns — but only if you’re prepared, rational, and disciplined.
If you want to make the most of the next cycle — don’t guess. Don’t hope.
Build a system, track the signals, and act when others hesitate.
To make it easier to stay informed, follow crypto calendars — they publish all the key events in the world of cryptocurrencies.
