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Waiting for altcoin season? Data suggests it’s already here

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Few things in crypto are as elusive and misunderstood as the concept of an “altcoin season.” Traditionally, this term referred to a brief window — usually 2–3 months — following a Bitcoin (BTC) price rally, where altcoins outperform BTC in cumulative returns. That pattern held in the 2015–2018 and 2019–2022 cycles, but the verdict is not yet in on whether the current bull market has had its altcoin season. 

The Blockchain Center defines an altcoin season as a period when 75% of the top 50 altcoins outperform Bitcoin over a rolling 90-day timeframe. Its Altseason Index registered upticks in March 2024 and again in January 2025 — but neither lasted long enough to qualify as a full-fledged altseason.

Altcoin season index. Source: Blockchain Center

Some analysts argue that memecoins drained liquidity from the broader altcoin market. Others blame the oversaturation of crypto investment products — particularly ETFs — which cater to institutions and spotlight only the largest altcoins. A third explanation calls for a deeper rethink of what altcoins actually are. Within this view, altcoins are perceived as a unified asset class but are a diverse collection of crypto assets with different functions, value structures, and growth potential.

Memecoins stole the spotlight

For the crypto analyst Miles Deutscher, the launch of Pump.fun is directly correlated to the destruction of the altcoin market vs BTC.

“The reason we’ve seen no major “altseason” across majors is because the speculative capital that would’ve once poured into top 200 assets, instead decided to jump the gun and flood into onchain low caps instead.”

Deutscher notes that the early birds and insiders got insanely rich from this, but most retail investors who entered late lost. This was also the case in previous altcoin cycles. However, unlike 2022, where the losses were mainly limited to CEX altcoins with solid liquidity, they got stuck into illiquid onchain memecoins, which quickly retraced 70%-80%. This led to a “wealth destruction event greater than the early 2022 bear (LUNA aside),” even though BTC (and some majors) are still in a macro bull trend.

Solana TVL vs Top 125 Alts (excl. Top 10). Source: Miles Deutscher

Politics in the United States added fuel to the memecoin craze. For example, President Donald Trump’s public embrace of memecoins sparked momentum — but the results quickly disappointed. TRUMP and MELANIA tokens have dropped 83% and 95%, respectively, since launching at the end of January, delivering another hit to retail sentiment.

Related: Will new US SEC rules bring crypto companies onshore?

Institutional investors and ETFs shifted the tide

Another factor impacting the strength of the current bull market’s altcoin season was the arrival of Wall Street. The launch of spot Bitcoin ETFs in January 2024 brought $129 billion in inflows as investors rushed into familiar structures with custody, regulation, and easy access. BlackRock’s IBIT became a dominant vehicle, and the introduction of ETF options in July 2024 added even more depth. 

Some analysts believe that the safety and scalability of spot BTC ETFs sucked capital away from speculative assets. With the ability to hedge through options and futures, the incentive to gamble on illiquid, low-volume altcoins diminishes significantly. 

But this explanation has limits. Crypto is not a zero-sum market — global liquidity is growing, and capital entering the space can flow in many directions. If anything, institutional demand could expand the total crypto pie.

Furthermore, some altcoins already have their ETFs as well. Spot Ether ETFs debuted in July 2024 and have since registered a modest net inflow of $565,000, according to CoinGlass. Such a drastic difference in scale with spot BTC ETFs suggests that the ETF structure alone isn’t enough; investor conviction still matters.

Altcoin’s function and their rallies became more nuanced

The term “altcoin” emerged when any non-Bitcoin token was novel. But in today’s ecosystem, the term lumps together wildly different assets: blockchain-native coins, governance tokens, stablecoins, memecoins, DApp tokens, and real-world asset protocol tokens — each with distinct functions and investor profiles. Just as it wouldn’t make sense to group gold, Nvidia stock, and the US dollar into a single index in traditional finance, it makes little sense to treat all altcoins as one unified category.

A closer look at price action supports this idea. According to CoinGecko data, major altcoin categories have diverged sharply this cycle. Real-world asset (RWA) tokens surged 15x. GameFi, by contrast, lost half its market cap. This shows that narratives play a growing role in driving investors’ capital allocation decisions.

Crypto categories market cap. Source: CoinGecko

Even core blockchain tokens have started to specialize. Ethereum remains the hub for DeFi. Solana dominates memecoins. Tron now holds second place in stablecoin transfers. ImmutableX is carving out its territory in the gaming space. In each case, token performance is increasingly tied to ecosystem activity. This means that we might want to abandon the term “altseason” and start to pay more attention to specific narratives within the crypto space.

Altcoins aren’t moving as a pack anymore, and that might be the biggest signal of how the crypto market is maturing.

This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.

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Coin Market

Bitcoin bottom ‘likely’ at $80K, opening door for TON, CRO, MNT and RENDER to rally

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Bitcoin (BTC) bulls are trying to start a recovery but selling at higher levels continues to disarm each attack of the range highs. Veteran trader Peter Brandt said in a post on X that Bitcoin has broken down from a bear wedge pattern, giving it a target objective of $65,635.

The current macroeconomic environment and the fears of a prolonged trade war have created a 40% possibility of a recession in 2025, according to Coin Bureau founder Nic Puckrin. Puckrin said that a recession and the current macroeconomic uncertainty could put pressure on risky assets such as cryptocurrencies.

Crypto market data daily view. Source: Coin360

However, not everyone is bearish on Bitcoin in the near term. Analyst Stockmoney Lizards said in a post on X that Bitcoin’s local bottom could be between $82,000 and $80,000. The analyst anticipates Bitcoin to make a reversal next week.

If Bitcoin starts a recovery, select altcoins are likely to move higher. Let’s look at the charts of the top cryptocurrencies that are showing a bullish setup.

Bitcoin price analysis

Bitcoin’s failure to rise above the resistance line may have tempted selling by traders. The bears will try to pull the price toward the critical $80,000 support.

BTC/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

The 20-day exponential moving average ($85,253) is flattish, and the relative strength index (RSI) is just below the midpoint, giving a slight advantage to the bears. If the $80,000 support cracks, the BTC/USDT pair could plunge to $76,606.

On the other hand, if the price turns up from the current level or $80,000, it improves the prospects of a rally above the resistance line. If that happens, it suggests an end of the corrective phase. The pair could rally to $95,000 and then to $100,000.

BTC/USDT 4-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

The 20-EMA has turned down on the 4-hour chart, and the RSI is in the negative territory, signaling that bears are in control. If the price turns down from the current level, the pair could slide to $80,000 and then to $78,000.

Buyers will have to drive and maintain the price above the 20-EMA to signal strength. The pair may then rise to the resistance line, which is a critical resistance to watch out for. The bullish momentum is expected to begin on a break above $89,000.

Toncoin price analysis

Toncoin (TON) bounced off the moving averages on March 30, indicating a positive sentiment.

TON/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

The upsloping 20-day EMA ($3.58) and the RSI in the positive zone indicate advantage to buyers. The bulls will try to strengthen their position by pushing the price above $4.14. If they can pull it off, the TON/USDT pair may start a new upmove to $5 and, after that, to $5.65.

Sellers will have to yank the price below the $3.3 support to seize control. Such a move signals that bears remain sellers on rallies. The pair could plummet to $2.81 and eventually to $2.64.

TON/USDT 4-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

The pair turned up from the uptrend line, indicating that the bulls are viewing the dips as a buying opportunity. The pair could reach the overhead resistance of $4.14, where the bears are expected to step in. However, if buyers pierce the resistance, the pair could start the next leg of the upmove toward $5.

The bears will be back in the driver’s seat if they sink and sustain the price below the uptrend line. The pair may then drop to $3.28.

Cronos price analysis

Cronos (CRO) broke out of the moving averages on March 24, signaling that the downtrend could have ended.

CRO/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

The CRO/USDT pair is facing selling near $0.12, but a positive sign in favor of the bulls is that they have not allowed the price to sustain below the $0.10 support. This suggests that buyers are trying to form a higher low. If the bulls shove the price above $0.12, the pair could rally toward $0.14.

Sellers are likely to have other plans. They will try to sink the price below the moving averages and trap the aggressive bulls.

CRO/USDT 4-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

The pair has been range-bound between $0.10 and $0.12, indicating indecision between the bulls and the bears. The 20-EMA is sloping up gradually, and the RSI is just above the midpoint, giving a slight edge to the bulls. A break and close above $0.11 increases the likelihood of a rally above $0.12.

Sellers will be back in the driver’s seat if they sink and maintain the price below the 50-SMA. That could pull the pair down to $0.08.

Related: Is XRP price around $2 an opportunity or the bull market’s end? Analysts weigh in

Mantle price analysis

Mantle (MNT) failed to rise above the 50-day SMA ($0.84) in the past few days, but a positive sign is that the bulls are trying to hold the price above the 20-day EMA ($0.80).

MNT/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

If the price rebounds off the 20-day EMA with strength, it will suggest a change in sentiment from selling on rallies to buying on dips. That improves the prospects of a break above the 50-day SMA. If that happens, the MNT/USDT pair could ascend to $0.94 and later to $1.06.

Contrary to this assumption, if the price continues lower and breaks below $0.77, it will tilt the short-term advantage in favor of the bears. The pair may then tumble to $0.72, delaying the start of the up move.

MNT/USDT 4-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

The 4-hour chart is facing stiff resistance at $0.85. The pair may dip to $0.77, which is a critical support to watch out for. If the price rebounds off $0.77, it will signal that the bulls are buying on dips. That could keep the pair stuck between $0.77 and $0.85 for some time. A break and close above $0.85 could push the pair toward $0.95.

Sellers will have to pull the price below $0.77 to gain the upper hand. The pair could then drop toward $0.69.

Render price analysis

Render (RNDR) has been in a strong downtrend for several weeks, but the bulls pushed the price above the 50-day SMA ($3.77) on March 25, signaling demand at lower levels.

RNDR/USDT daily chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

The bears have pulled the price to the 20-day EMA ($3.57), which is an important level to watch out for. If the price rebounds off the 20-day EMA with force, the bulls will try to propel the RNDR/USDT pair to $5 and later to $6.20.

This positive view will be invalidated in the near term if the price continues lower and closes below $3.05. That signals aggressive selling at higher levels. The pair may slump to $2.83 and subsequently to $2.52.

RNDR/USDT 4-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView

The 20-EMA has turned down, and the RSI is in the negative territory on the 4-hour chart, indicating an advantage to sellers. A break and close below the uptrend line will further strengthen the bears, pulling the pair to $3.

The first sign of strength will be a break and close above the moving averages. That could open the doors for a rally to $4. The up move could accelerate after the pair closes above $4.20, completing a bullish head-and-shoulders pattern. 

This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.

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Centralization and the dark side of asset tokenization — MEXC exec

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Tracy Jin, the chief operating officer at the MEXC crypto exchange, warns that tokenizing real-world assets (RWAs) carries a substantial amount of centralized risks that can lead to censorship, liquidity issues, legal uncertainty, cybersecurity problems, and asset confiscation through state or third-party intermediaries.

In an interview with Cointelegraph, the executive said that as long as tokenized assets remain under the purview of state regulators and centralized intermediaries, then “tokenization will simply be a new version of old financial infrastructure and not a financial revolution.” Jin added:

“Most tokenized assets will be issued on permissioned or semi-centralized blockchains. This gives authorities the power to issue restrictions or confiscate assets. The tokenization of assets such as real estate or bonds is still tied to the national legal system.”

“If the property or company behind the token is local, in a country with an unstable legal environment or high political volatility, the risk of confiscation increases,” the executive continued.

RWA tokenization is projected to become a multi-trillion sector in the next decade as the world’s assets come onchain, which will increase the velocity of money and extend the reach of capital markets worldwide.

The total market cap of the RWA sector. Source: RWA.XYZ

Related: Dubai Land Department begins real estate tokenization project

Estimates of the future RWA market differ dramatically

Tokenized real-world assets include stocks, bonds, real estate, intellectual property rights, energy, art, private credit, debt instruments, fiat currency, commodities, and collectibles.

According to RWA.XYZ, there are currently over $19.6 billion in tokenized real-world assets onchain, excluding the stablecoin sector, which surpassed a $200 billion market cap in December 2024.

A research report from Tren Finance polled large financial institutions including Citi, Standard Chartered, and McKinsey & Company; the report found that the participants predicted the RWA market to reach anywhere between $4 trillion to $30 trillion by 2030.

Financial institutions provide different forecasts for the future of the tokenized RWA market. Source: Tren Finance

McKinsey & Company predicted the RWA sector will encompass between $2 trillion to $4 trillion by 2030 — a relatively modest assessment compared to other forecasts.

Meanwhile, institutions like Standard Chartered and executives at the blockchain network Polygon say that the RWA market will reach $30 trillion in the next decade.

Magazine: Real-life yield farming: How tokenization is transforming lives in Africa

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Coin Market

Binance debuts centralized exchange to decentralized exchange trades

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Crypto exchange Binance has debuted centralized exchange (CEX) to decentralized exchange trades (DEX), allowing customers to use funds from their Binance wallets to execute DEX trades — eliminating the need for asset bridging or manual transfers.

According to the exchange, customers can use Circle’s USDC (USDC) and other supported stablecoins to acquire tokens on the Ethereum, Solana, Base, and BNB Smart Chain networks.

The new CEX to DEX feature is also compatible with other tools on the platform, including Binance Alpha, which gives users the ability to discover emerging tokens in early-stage development, and the Binance quick buy tool.

Incorporating CEX to DEX trading unlocks a smoother user experience and reduces the complexity of swapping digital assets.

This reduction in complexity addresses the technical barrier to entry inherent in the user experience that makes it difficult for new users to interact with digital assets. Complex user interfaces and clunky user experience is one of the most widely cited issues in crypto.

An online meme poking fun at the complexities in crypto. Source: Kev.Eth

Related: Web3’s UX problem — and how to fix it, feat. Ponder One

Overcoming crypto’s user experience problem and getting crypto out of the AOL era

In November 2024, The WalletConnect Foundation and Reown established a standard framework for crypto wallets to enhance the user experience and promote ease of use.

Pedro Gomes, director of the WalletConnect Foundation, told Cointelegraph that the wallet standards framework focused on several key areas including, “minimizing clicks, reducing transaction friction, interoperability, and providing clear and accessible information.”

Anurag Arjun, co-founder of Avail — a unified chain abstraction solution — and the Polygon layer-2 network, also told Cointelegraph that current blockchain abstraction techniques are fragmenting liquidity across the ecosystem.

The Polygon co-founder said that each blockchain network has its own set of security assumptions, presenting challenges for interoperability; Arjun specifically cited bridging techniques as cumbersome for the end user.

Sandeep Nailwal, who founded Polygon alongside Arjun, recently voiced similar sentiments and said that crypto needs to enhance user experience before achieving mass adoption, likening the current state of crypto to the internet in the late 1990s.

Nailwal told Cointelegraph that crypto needs to adopt smoother fiat onboarding, better custody solutions that feature key recovery, and hardware wallets built into mobile devices to bring crypto out of the “AOL era” and achieve mass appeal.

Magazine: They solved crypto’s janky UX problem — you just haven’t noticed yet

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