Expectations for Altcoin Season in 2026

As we approach 2026, the biggest question on investors' minds is: Will an altcoin season arrive? Current market data shows that Bitcoin dominance continues, and high risks persist for altcoins. According to CoinMarketCap data, the Altcoin Season Index has dropped to 17 this week. In the last 90 days, only 17 of the top 100 assets in the markets have outperformed Bitcoin (BTC).

The performance in 2025 demonstrates how far altcoins are from a low-risk appetite. Bitcoin experienced a sharp pullback from its $126,000 record level in October and is currently seeking balance in the $80,000–$90,000 range. During this process, while Bitcoin has lost about 6 percent in value throughout 2025, some low-cap tokens have faced declines of up to 90 percent from their peak prices.

Notable figures such as BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes are signaling that the risk appetite around the world may change. On-chain data shows that Hayes sold 1,871 Ethereum in the last week (approximately $5.53 million) to cash out. He then reportedly made purchases totaling around $609,000 in the projects Ethena (ENA), Pendle (PENDLE), and ether.fi (ETHFI). This move is interpreted by analysts as a transition strategy.

Four significant altcoins on analysts' radar include: Solana (SOL), which has fallen 58.6 percent from its January 2025 peak, indicating that ecosystem growth may have a potential pricing effect in a possible price increase. Ethena (ENA) is currently trading at $0.203 and is a significant part of Hayes' portfolio. There is a strong growth indicator for Pendle (PENDLE) within 2025. ether.fi (ETHFI) has decreased from $1.60 in September to $0.70 and is attracting attention with its position in the liquid restaking sector.

Another altcoin project to closely watch for 2026 is Minotaurus (MTAUR). Market analysts are evaluating potential long-term growth scenarios of 50 percent for this project. If an investment is made in the project today at the 0.00020 USDT level, a 50 percent increase could theoretically bring investors to a level of $3,960. In conclusion, investors should continue to closely monitor the changes and price movements in the markets.