Before we get started, I recommend saving this guide for later.
The bull market is just kicking off, and the biggest moves are still ahead. This guide will be useful throughout the entire bull run.
In a bull market, not all altcoins pump at the same time. We’re not talking about small 10-30% moves, but major rallies of 300-700% or more. These waves of pumps make up the bull cycle.
Money flows between coins in cycles, which is why altseason lasts for months, not just weeks.
In the past, the flow was simple:
BTC > ETH > Large-caps > Low-caps > Repeat
Now, the pattern is more complex. Let’s break it down step by step:
### Phase 1
Bitcoin leads the way as always. It moves first, and the rest of the market follows after BTC slows down.
### Phase 2
SOL, one of the leaders of this cycle, starts gaining momentum. Some large-cap altcoins also move but with less strength. (This is where we are right now.)
### Phase 3
The pump spreads to:
- Major memecoins: DOGE, SHIB, PEPE, BONK, etc.
- Leading altcoins: RENDER, SUI, APT, LTC, and others.
Not all coins will pump equally, and some may lag behind.
### Phase 4
Narrative-driven trends take center stage.
The hottest themes like AI, RWAs, and their combinations (e.g., AI memes, AI x DePIN) dominate.
Not every narrative will perform, so focus on the strongest ones.
### Phase 5
Low-cap coins begin to explode, often with pumps happening hourly. This is the peak time for solid memecoins and promising small projects.
Winners from this phase can grow beyond being just low-caps. But be careful—many pumps are short-lived.
### Phase 6 - Reset
Money flows back into BTC.
As the market matures, these cycles become harder to predict.
This bull market presents a massive opportunity to change your financial situation over the next 5-9 months.
But keep this in mind:
You can build wealth in two ways:
1. Hold tokens that appreciate steadily over time.
2. Trade tokens for faster, high-risk gains.
History shows that less than 1% of traders succeed long-term with the second approach. That’s why most of your capital should remain in solid, long-term holdings.
If you want to chase pumps, use profits you can afford to lose.
The choice is yours—make it wisely.