"Altcoin Season Expectations in 2026"

As we approach 2026, the biggest question on investors' minds is: Will the altcoin season arrive? Current market data indicates that Bitcoin dominance persists and high risks remain for altcoins. According to CoinMarketCap data, the Altcoin Season Index decreased 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 demonstrates how distant altcoins are from a low-risk appetite. Bitcoin experienced a sharp pullback from the record level of $126,000 in October and is currently seeking balance in the $80,000–$90,000 range. During this period, Bitcoin has lost about 6 percent of its value throughout 2025, while some low-cap tokens have faced declines of up to %90 from their peak prices.

Notable figures, such as BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes, are signaling that the risk appetite in the world may change. According to on-chain data, Hayes sold 1,871 Ethereum in the past week (approximately $5.53 million) to convert to cash. Following this, it was revealed that he made purchases totaling approximately $609,000 in the Ethena (ENA), Pendle (PENDLE), and ether.fi (ETHFI) projects. This move is viewed by analysts as a transition strategy.

The four key altcoins on analysts' radars are as follows: Solana (SOL), which has dropped 58.6 percent from its peak in January 2025, indicates that potential price growth could stem from renewed ecosystem expansion. Ethena (ENA) is currently trading at $0.203 and is an important part of Hayes's portfolio. There is a strong growth indicator for Pendle (PENDLE) within 2025. ether.fi (ETHFI) has declined from $1.60 in September to $0.70 and stands out with its position in the liquid restaking sector.

Another altcoin project that needs close monitoring 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 this project today, a 50 percent increase from the 0.00020 USDT level could theoretically bring investors to the $3,960 level. In conclusion, investors should continue to carefully monitor market changes and price movements.