## Altseason Momentum Builds as Altcoins Challenge Bitcoin's Dominance

The altseason index just hit 76 this week—its strongest reading in nine months, signaling that we may finally be entering a genuine altcoin rally season. Both the Blockchain Center and CoinGlass pegged their altseason scores at 76 out of 100, with CoinMarketCap slightly trailing at 67. All three metrics are now at their highest levels since December, with the market dynamic clearly shifting in favor of alternative cryptocurrencies.

What makes this significant? The Blockchain Center's altseason criteria requires 75% of the top 50 crypto assets to outperform Bitcoin over a 90-day window. When that threshold is crossed, traders know they're potentially looking at the kind of explosive growth that defines a true altcoin season—historically the periods where alt assets deliver outsized returns.

### Total Altcoin Market Cap Approaching Previous Peaks

The aggregate altcoin market capitalization is creeping toward levels not seen since 2021. Excluding Bitcoin and stablecoins, the altcoin market cap currently sits at $1.63 trillion. While this trails the all-time high of $1.7 trillion from November 2021, it's approaching the recent 2025 peak of $1.64 trillion recorded in November 2024. This proximity to previous highs is sparking renewed interest among traders who view price discovery as the next catalyst for broader market enthusiasm.

### What the Pros Are Saying

Crypto trader Daan Crypto Trades highlighted on Wednesday that once the altcoin market achieves sustained price discovery, it could unlock "wider excitement and risk on for alts," potentially attracting fresh capital from new market participants entering the space.

Educator Karan Singh Arora echoed similar sentiment Thursday, noting that with altseason at its strongest reading in nine months, market participants are increasingly adopting a risk-on posture. Trader Ash Crypto took an even more aggressive stance, predicting that "altcoins are about to go parabolic for phase 3 of altseason."

### 24-Hour Movers Reflect Altseason Energy

Several major altcoins showed notable movement in the past day, though recent data presents a mixed picture:

- **Dogecoin (DOGE)** continues gaining traction with a +0.44% daily move, trading around $0.13
- **Avalanche (AVAX)** pulled back -0.68% to $11.66, despite earlier momentum toward $29
- **Hyperliquid (HYPE)** faced pressure with a -4.04% decline
- **Stellar (XLM)** added +0.94% to its position
- **Litecoin (LTC)** posted a modest +0.17% gain
- **Toncoin (TON)** declined -1.97% over the period

Despite some short-term volatility, the broader altseason trend remains intact, with technical indicators and trader commentary suggesting this rally phase could have further legs to run.