Despite growing optimism for an altcoin rally, today we saw a noticeable pullback. Here’s what’s shaking the market — and why alt-season still might just be delayed, not dead.

🔍 Key Reasons Behind Today’s Dip

1. Geopolitical Tensions Spark Risk-Off Sentiment

New escalation in the Israel–Iran conflict weighed heavily on global markets. Cryptocurrencies, often seen as high-risk assets, reacted quickly — Bitcoin dipped ~0.7%, #Ethereum fell 2.6%, and #solana dropped 3.8% .

2. Liquidations Surge in Leverage Positions

Rising macro uncertainty triggered margin calls and liquidations. Coinpedia reported over $363 million in positions wiped out, including a $3.3 million $SOL trade — pushing crypto caps lower despite healthy trading volumes .

3. Bitcoin Dominance Still Nearly 64%

Altcoins thrive when $BTC dominance falls. But today, Bitcoin’s share rose to 63.9%, while the Altcoin Season Index remains subdued (23/100), signaling cooldown in altcoin flows .

⚖️ Should You Still Expect Alt-Season?

Not yet — but don’t write it off.

Institutional focus on BTC remains strong, and until they rotate capital into smaller assets, altcoins will stay under pressure .

According to BeInCrypto, alt-season is postponed, not dead. A shift could come by late 2025 or early 2026 when Bitcoin dominance starts to decline and liquidity returns .

Technical momentum is building. CoinDCX notes momentum swirling under altcoins, suggesting a shift is simply near — not here yet .

✅ What to Watch in the Coming Weeks

Geopolitical updates: Any major news could shock market sentiment further.

Bitcoin dominance metrics: A drop below 60% would be a green light.

Altcoin volume & ETF money flows: Sustained inflows into ETH and mid-cap alts could signal a real rotation.

🧠 Final Take

Today’s dip isn’t a breakdown—it’s a breather. Geopolitical nervousness and leveraged pressures can temporarily stall momentum, even when the macro narrative points toward alt-season.

▶️ If you believe in a wider rotation, this dip could be a buying window — as long as you manage risk and pace entries.