The landscape of the cryptocurrency market is witnessing a significant shift, as altcoins are making a robust comeback. After months of dominance by Bitcoin, which has long been recognized as the largest and most influential cryptocurrency, recent trends indicate the emergence of a new so-called altcoin season. Various alternative cryptocurrencies have begun to record notable price gains, drawing increased interest and investment from capital.
Prominent among these altcoins are digital currencies like XRP, BNB, TRX, and the potential up-and-comer, SOL. Many of these cryptocurrencies are either reaching new all-time highs in 2025 or are on the verge of breaking their previous records. As a direct consequence of this surge in altcoin popularity, Bitcoin’s market dominance has decreased considerably, dropping from around 65 percent in mid-2025 to approximately 57 percent today.
Several indices have been tracking the crypto market and suggest that the sector is already deep into an altcoin season or is just on the brink of this phase. The criteria for defining an altcoin season include a scenario where 75% of the top 50 cryptocurrencies outperform Bitcoin over the last 90 days. Notably, stablecoins and asset-backed tokens are excluded from this calculation. As of now, indices point out that this threshold may have already been reached, with well-known portal CoinMarketCap reporting that only four more altcoins need to meet the performance criteria to affirm this trend.
Key indices include those from CoinMarketCap, Coinglass, and Blockchaincenter, all of which are monitoring the movements within the altcoin space.
Looking ahead, the duration of this altcoin season is a topic of discussion within the crypto community. Numerous traders and companies are optimistic about a prosperous fourth quarter in 2025, with many believing that the ongoing altcoin season aligns well with these expectations. In just two weeks, the fourth quarter will commence, and current altcoin momentum suggests a potentially productive time ahead for the market.
Historically, the last strong altcoin seasons were observed several years ago, with notable surges occurring in 2017 and 2018, when smaller cryptocurrencies occasionally overshadowed Bitcoin’s performance. A brief altcoin season was also noted at the end of 2024, but it fell short of lasting impact as momentum dissipated.
For major players in the crypto market, particularly exchanges, altcoin seasons are vital. They tend to see a substantial increase in trading volume as there are more frequent trades involving diverse assets, resulting in enhanced profits for these trading platforms. This trend coincides with the recent successful public offering of the Gemini exchange, co-founded by the Winklevoss twins, showcasing the potential for growth in a thriving altcoin environment.
As excitement builds around the potential for a crypto rally and new Bitcoin all-time highs in the upcoming fall, many investors are focusing their attention on the possibilities that Q4 2025 may bring.
