The crypto market typically follows a predictable pattern in a bull run cycle:
1️⃣ BTC Pumps First
Bitcoin (BTC) sets the stage. Its dominance increases, and capital flows into the largest cryptocurrency.
2️⃣ ETH + High-Cap Coins Follow
Once BTC slows, Ethereum (ETH) and other high-market-cap coins start their ascent. These coins are perceived as "safer" than smaller alts but offer significant upside.
3️⃣ Altseason (Altszn)
As profits roll out of BTC and ETH, they flow into lower-cap altcoins. This is when we see massive multiples (50x–100x) on certain alts.
🔥 What Makes Altseason Special?
Altseason is marked by:
Parabolic pumps in low-cap altcoins.
The potential for entire portfolios to see exponential gains.
An environment where narratives (AI, DeFi, Layer 2s, etc.) drive insane FOMO.
💡 My Playbook for Altseason
Here’s how I’ve turned <$1k into $5M+ across two altseasons:
🚀 Why Altseason is Around the Corner: A Breakdown of Cyclop's Insights
1/ The Divide in Sentiment
Believers vs. Skeptics:
Many think BTC's dominance will persist, while others anticipate altseason.
Key to Success:
Emotional discipline and independent research are vital. Ignore FUD and hype.
🔑 Takeaway: Build your thesis based on facts, trends, and analysis, not crowd sentiment.
2/ BTC’s Meteoric Rise
Recent Performance:
BTC has risen 50% in the last month, nearly touching $100k.
Altcoin Underperformance:
While BTC surged, alts have lagged.
🔑 Takeaway: BTC's gains often pull liquidity from altcoins, but history shows alts rally as BTC stabilizes.
3/ Ideal Accumulation Phase
Current conditions resemble those before major altcoin rallies.
Why Now? Alts are undervalued compared to BTC, offering asymmetric risk/reward opportunities.
🔑 Pro Tip: Focus on narrative-driven projects that will benefit from incoming liquidity.
4/ BTC Dominance Signals a Shift
BTC.D (Bitcoin Dominance):
It has been moving sideways, indicating consolidation.
A downtrend is forming, suggesting that liquidity is shifting to altcoins.
🔑 Takeaway: Monitor BTC.D closely. A definitive break downward often precedes altseason.
5/ Altcoin Season Index
The Altcoin Season Index is at levels similar to November 2023, which led to 2-10x gains in alts.
What This Means:
Historically, these levels have marked the start of significant altcoin rallies.
🔑 Pro Tip: Combine this index with BTC.D trends for confirmation of altseason timing.
🚀 Old High-Caps Are Moving: The Prelude to Altseason
6/ Old High-Cap Coins Leading the Charge
Coins Showing Growth:
Examples: XRP, ADA, DOT, and others are gaining momentum.
Typical Growth:
These coins often post 30–50% gains before smaller alts join the rally.
🔑 Takeaway: This is a classic early-stage signal for a broader altseason. High-cap pumps show increasing confidence in the market.
7/ A Different Altseason This Time
Key Change:
Unlike past cycles, the oversupply of altcoins will limit winners.
Only 10–15% of alts are likely to experience significant growth.
🔑 What This Means: Investors must be selective and focus on high-potential projects.
8/ Understanding Market Psychology
Wall Street Cheat Sheet:
Highlights the emotional cycle of markets, from euphoria to panic.
Recognizing these stages helps predict market trends.
Emotional Control:
Fear leads to undervalued assets (accumulation opportunities).
Greed leads to overvalued assets (profit-taking opportunities).
🔑 Takeaway: Spot fear to buy and greed to sell. Use tools like the Fear & Greed Index to gauge sentiment.
9/ Choosing the Right Altcoins
Profit Goals Define Choices:
10x profits? Focus on high caps.
100x profits? Go for mid and low caps.
1000x moonshots? Target low caps with small market caps and big narratives.
🔑 Pro Tip: Most are chasing higher multiples, so focus your efforts on low-cap gems.
10/ Researching Altcoins
Use trusted sources like:
CoinGecko
CoinMarketCap
Focus on:
Market Cap Range: $10M–$100M for strong upside potential.
Top Narratives: AI, DeFi, Layer 2 solutions, etc.
⚠️ Warning: Listing isn’t enough—weak projects can still fail.
11/ Evaluating Projects
When narrowing your shortlist:
Product: Does it solve a real problem?
Demand: Is there user or market demand?
Website Quality: Is it professional and credible?
Team Commitment: Are they actively building and communicating progress?
🔑 Pro Tip: Avoid projects with red flags like poor communication, lack of roadmap, or anonymous teams.
12/ Patience + Conviction = 1000x Potential
Deep Research: The best returns require understanding the project inside-out.
Long-Term Focus: Don’t expect 100x–1000x overnight. Major gains often take months to years.
Stay Informed: Follow updates, roadmap progress, and community activity.
🔑 Key Mindset: Trust your research and have the patience to see it through.
🚀 Final Thoughts: How to Maximize Gains in Altseason
13/ Narrow Your Focus
Choose 2–3 Projects Per Narrative:
This allows you to:
Stay updated on project developments.
Make rational decisions without being overwhelmed.
Key Narratives:
AI, Layer 2 solutions, DeFi, GameFi, and others driving attention this cycle.
🔑 Pro Tip: Research deeply and prioritize projects with strong fundamentals and active teams.
14/ Hold, Don’t Trade
Why Hold?
Altseason is marked by rapid, unpredictable pumps. Attempting to trade often results in missing out on major moves.
Conviction is Key:
Trust your research and stay the course with projects you believe in.
🔑 Takeaway: Position early, hold through volatility, and avoid emotional decisions.
15/ Gradual Profit-Taking
Plan Your Exits:
Sell incrementally as the price rises:
25% at 2x.
25% at 5x.
Let the rest ride for moonshot potential.
Reallocate Gains:
Move profits into BTC, ETH, or stablecoins to preserve wealth as the cycle progresses.
🔑 Pro Tip: Greed kills gains. Stick to your profit-taking strategy.
