Predicting the exact start date of an "alt season" — a period when altcoins (cryptocurrencies other than Bitcoin) outperform Bitcoin and see significant price increases — is inherently speculative. There’s no official calendar date for when it begins, as it depends on market dynamics, investor sentiment, and macroeconomic factors. However, I can give you an overview based on current trends and historical patterns as of today, February 24, 2025.
Historically, alt seasons often follow a Bitcoin rally where its price surges and then stabilizes, prompting investors to shift capital into altcoins for potentially higher returns. This tends to happen when Bitcoin’s dominance (its share of the total crypto market cap) peaks and then declines. For example, past alt seasons kicked off around 6-9 months after Bitcoin halvings, like in early 2017 (post-2016 halving) and early 2021 (post-2020 halving). The most recent halving occurred on April 19, 2024, which, following this pattern, could suggest a potential alt season window between late 2024 and mid-2025.
Right now, Bitcoin dominance is hovering around 61%, a high level not seen in years, according to market data up to mid-February 2025. Analysts suggest that for an alt season to start, this dominance would typically need to drop below 55% or even 50%, signaling a shift of capital into altcoins. Some projections, based on past cycles, point to a possible start as early as March or April 2025 if Bitcoin dominance peaks soon (say, at 68-71%) and then falls. Others argue it could be delayed to mid-2025 or later if Bitcoin continues to absorb liquidity, especially with institutional interest and talk of a U.S. Bitcoin reserve growing.
There’s also chatter about specific dates like February 14, 2025, tied to historical alt season starts, but that’s more anecdotal than data-driven. Market conditions today show altcoins struggling, with many analysts noting that meme coins or select high-utility tokens (like Ethereum or Solana) might lead any rally rather than a broad altcoin surge. The Altcoin Season Index, which tracks whether altcoins are outperforming Bitcoin, was at 47 in mid-February (down from 88 in December 2024), indicating we’re not in alt season yet.
So, no precise date can be pinned down — it’s not like a scheduled event. If I had to estimate based on current sentiment and cycles, late March to June 2025 feels plausible, but it hinges on Bitcoin’s next move and broader market triggers like regulatory shifts or economic policy changes. Keep an eye on dominance trends and Ethereum’s performance against Bitcoin (ETH/BTC pair) for early signals. What do you think — are you expecting it soon, or are you skeptical of the whole alt season hype this cycle