The Google searches for “altcoin” are coming back at levels we haven’t seen since 2021. At the same time, Ethereum is getting closer than ever to its All-Time High. If you’ve been around the crypto world for quite some time, you know those are the kind of signals that make everyone in the space think of a coming “altseason.”
And this might not be just a hype as Wall Street is coming in. Let’s take a closer look.
Big Money is Getting in
In the first half of 2025 alone, 31 ETF filings have landed for altcoins such as Solana, Ripple and even Sui (yes, Sui). So we’re way past Bitcoin and Ethereum here, and we’re getting deeper into the crypto market. Some of those filings have strong approval chances as analysts say (some even as high as 90–95%), which in SEC language is basically “Start pulling out the champagne guys.” We can thank the Chairman by the way.
So yeah, it’s not just traders getting in on the action. Big corporate money is quietly loading up on altcoins with billions flowing in. Moreover, firms like Metaplanet and DeFi Development Corp are acquiring and staking cryptocurrencies like ETH, SOL, and LINK. This means they’re not just betting on price but taking a longer-term perspective and collecting passive yield while they wait. That’s a pretty positive signal.
What’s Happening on the Charts?
If you look at the charts, we can see different things. On one hand, Bitcoin dominance has slipped under 60% for the first time in six months. Historically, that’s been the market’s way of saying, “Alright alts, that’s your turn now.” Among the altcoins, ETH is naturally leading the charge, outperforming BTC in the recent weeks (even though Bitcoin just hit a new All-Time-High) and is getting closer than ever to its ATH, while other major (and even smaller) some alts like SOL, LINK, and SUI are also on the rise with significant pumps..
So yeah, these signs are pretty bullish, but on the other hand, the Altcoin Season Index is sitting at 51, so nothing crazy here, it’s basically neutral. In the end, we’re not in the “everything pumps” mode… or at least, not yet.
Why This Altseason Could Be Different?
If this altseason does really hit, don’t expect it to be a repeat of the 2017 or 2021 ones. Back then, almost every single crypto was on the rise, and it was an absolute joyful chaos. Today, the market is facing token oversupply (shoutout to Pump.Fun for flooding it, we still love you though) and institutions are being picky of course (plus they provide a major part of the inflows now).
So, we can imagine this cycle to be way more selective than in the past. We may see fewer winners, with a majority of them coming from strong narratives — like AI, real-world assets (RWAs), and some of the major names — while countless others will rest into the market’s abyss. Expect timing and selection to matter more than ever before.
So, Is It Time?
Well, maybe… We cannot predict the future (even though we would love it).
But the signs are here with a falling BTC dominance, ETH and other big altcoins are on the rise, ETF money is flowing in with more altcoin-specific ETFs on their way to be approved. However, as you know in crypto, markets can be very unpredictable and when you think you know what’s next, something wild can come out of nowhere (like Randy’s RKO).
For now, think of it as the pre-game warm-up. The players are on the field, the crowd is getting ready… but the whistle hasn’t blown yet. So grab your popcorn and your drink, Altseason’s kickoff could be given any day now, or not. Let’s keep an eye out!
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