Is altcoin season coming?

The Unmistakable Signs of Altcoin Season Taking Hold in July 2025

As of July 23, 2025, the cryptocurrency market is witnessing a significant shift in momentum, with clear indications that the long-awaited altcoin season is in full swing. The Altcoin Season Index, a key metric used by traders and investors to gauge market sentiment, has surged to an impressive 84, signaling a strong preference for altcoins over Bitcoin. This surge is particularly noteworthy when compared to the index’s reading of just 16 at the beginning of the year, highlighting the dramatic change in market dynamics over the past six months. The index defines an altcoin season as a period when over 75% of the top 50 altcoins outperform Bitcoin over a 90-day period, and current data unequivocally confirms that we are in such a phase.

Market capitalization figures further reinforce this trend. The total altcoin market cap, calculated by subtracting Bitcoin’s market cap from the overall cryptocurrency market cap, has reached an all-time high of $2.8 trillion. This represents a staggering 180% increase from the $1 trillion mark observed at the start of 2025. Moreover, the altcoin dominance, which measures the percentage of the total crypto market cap that altcoins represent, has climbed to 68%, a level not seen since the height of the 2017 bull run. These figures not only answer the question of “when is altcoin season coming” but emphatically declare that it has arrived and is gaining momentum.

Bitcoin Dominance Collapse: How Capital is Rotating into Altcoins Right Now

The ongoing altcoin season is characterized by a significant decline in Bitcoin’s market dominance, a key indicator in the bitcoin dominance altcoin cycle. As of July 2025, Bitcoin’s dominance has plummeted to 32%, its lowest level in over eight years. This marks a sharp contrast to its 60% dominance at the beginning of the year.

This seismic shift in market composition is driven by a massive rotation of capital from Bitcoin into altcoins. Institutional investors, who had previously focused primarily on Bitcoin, are now diversifying their crypto portfolios. This trend is evidenced by the surge in trading volumes on major exchanges, with Gate reporting a 300% increase in altcoin trading volume since January. The influx of capital into altcoins is not just from Bitcoin holders, but also from traditional finance, as more hedge funds and family offices enter the crypto space with a focus on high-potential altcoins.

Top Utility Coins Poised for Massive Gains During This Alt Season

As the altcoin season gains momentum, utility coins are emerging as frontrunners in terms of performance and adoption. These coins, which serve specific functions within blockchain ecosystems, are attracting significant attention from both retail and institutional investors. The appeal of utility coins lies in their practical applications and the tangible value they bring to their respective networks. For instance, decentralized finance (DeFi) tokens have seen an average gain of 450% since the beginning of the year, outpacing even the most optimistic altcoin season prediction 2025.

Smart contract platforms beyond Ethereum are also experiencing remarkable growth. Coins like Cardano (ADA), Polkadot (DOT), and Solana (SOL) have seen their market caps increase by 280%, 320%, and 400% respectively since January. This growth is fueled by the increasing number of decentralized applications (dApps) being built on these platforms and the growing user base of these ecosystems. Interoperability solutions and layer-2 scaling projects are similarly benefiting from the current market conditions, as the demand for efficient and cost-effective blockchain interactions continues to rise.

Moonshot Potential: Identifying the Next 100x Altcoins in the Current Market Cycle

While established altcoins are performing well, the true excitement in this altcoin season lies in identifying the next generation of cryptocurrencies with moon potential altcoins 2025. These are projects that could potentially deliver 100x returns or more. The key to finding these gems lies in thorough research and understanding of emerging technologies and market trends. One area showing particular promise is the intersection of artificial intelligence and blockchain technology. AI-powered cryptocurrencies have seen an average growth of 700% in the past quarter alone, with projects focusing on decentralized machine learning and AI governance leading the charge.

Another sector with significant moonshot potential is the metaverse and gaming tokens. As virtual worlds become more sophisticated and integrated with real-world economies, the tokens that power these ecosystems are experiencing exponential growth. For example, a relatively unknown gaming token launched in early 2025 has already achieved a 5000% return, highlighting the immense potential in this space. However, it’s crucial to note that while the potential for massive gains exists, so does the risk of significant losses. Investors should always conduct thorough due diligence and invest only what they can afford to lose.