Everyone’s heard it: “Sell in May and go away.”
In TradFi, it’s a seasonal play. But crypto? Always on, always global. The old rules shouldn’t work here. And yet — in 2025 — they just might.

Here’s the thing:
Markets feel tired. BTC can’t push past $100K. Altcoins are bleeding out. Airdrops are losing steam. And retail’s already halfway out the door. So yeah… maybe it is time to go away.

What “Sell in May” Actually Means

In traditional markets, it’s a tactical exit.
You cash out in May, skip the boring summer, and come back strong for Q4. It’s worked (sometimes) for decades. But crypto is 24/7 — Asia trades when the West sleeps. Narratives never rest. Airdrops, hacks, ETF rulings… they don’t care about seasons.

Still, here’s what summer has looked like:

  • 2020: DeFi Summer — yield farms everywhere

  • 2021: May crash wiped billions → dead sideways zone

  • 2022: Bear market hellscape

  • 2023: Flat. Boring. Uninspired.

  • 2024: Started hot, but Q4 is where it ran

So while it’s not gospel, summer does slow things down — unless there’s a black swan or breakout narrative.

2025’s Setup: Looks Like a Perfect Sell-in-May Candidate

Here’s the current vibe:

  • BTC at ~$97K, unable to crack $100K

  • Spot ETF hype is already priced in

  • ETH ETF decision delayed (staking clarity due in Oct)

  • No rate cuts until Q4, per latest Fed signals

  • Airdrops? Losing their magic

  • Altcoins? Quiet bleed. Retail nowhere in sight

If you’re holding heavy altcoin bags, this summer might hurt. It’s not FUD — it’s just the setup.

The Playbook Right Now

You’ve got options. But max risk probably isn’t it