Expectations for Altcoin Season in 2026

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

The performance in 2025 proves how distanced altcoins are from a low-risk appetite. Bitcoin experienced a sharp pullback from its record high of 126,000 dollars in October and is currently seeking balance in the 80,000–90,000 dollar range. During this period, while Bitcoin declined by around 6 percent throughout 2025, some low-cap tokens 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 worldwide might change. On-chain data indicates that Hayes transitioned to cash by selling 1,871 Ethereum (approximately 5.53 million dollars) over the past week. He then made purchases totaling around 609 thousand dollars in the Ethena (ENA), Pendle (PENDLE), and ether.fi (ETHFI) projects. This move is seen by analysts as a transition strategy.

The four significant altcoins on analysts' radar are as follows: Solana (SOL) has fallen by 58.6 percent from its peak in January 2025, indicating that ecosystem growth holds potential for price revaluation in the event of a possible price increase. Ethena (ENA) is currently trading at around 0.203 dollars and is an important part of Hayes' portfolio. There are strong growth indicators for Pendle (PENDLE) within the year 2025. ether.fi (ETHFI) has decreased from 1.60 dollars in September to 0.70 dollars, drawing attention with its position in the liquid restaking sector.

Another altcoin project that should be closely monitored for 2026 is Minotaurus (MTAUR). Market analysts are evaluating long-term growth scenarios of 50 percent for this project. If investments are made in this project from today, a 50 percent increase from the level of 0.00020 USDT could theoretically take investors to the level of 3,960 dollars. In conclusion, investors should continue to carefully monitor changes in the markets and price movements.