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Why Altcoin Season Remains Out of Reach in 2026

Crispus Nyaga
Crispus Nyaga
Crispus Nyaga
Author:
Crispus Nyaga
Writer
Crispus is a financial analyst with over 9 years in the industry. He covers cryptocurrencies, forex, equities, and commodities for some of the leading brands. He is also a passionate trader who operates his family account. Crispus lives in Nairobi with his wife and son.
Updated: December 29th, 2025
Editor:
Joseph Alalade
Joseph Alalade
Editor:
Joseph Alalade
News Lead and Editor
Joseph is a content writer and editor who has actively participated in crypto for over 6 years. He enjoys educating others about Web3 and covering its updates, regulatory developments, and exciting stories.
Fact Checker:
Joseph Alalade
Joseph Alalade
Fact Checker:
Joseph Alalade
News Lead and Editor
Joseph is a content writer and editor who has actively participated in crypto for over 6 years. He enjoys educating others about Web3 and covering its updates, regulatory developments, and exciting stories.

The much-anticipated altcoin season may not happen soon, with technical analysis pointing to a more resilient crypto market crash. CMC data shows that the Altcoin Season Index has dropped to 16, and this trend may continue soon.

Altcoin Market Cap Has Formed Bearish Technicals

One way to predict whether an altcoin season will happen is to conduct a technical analysis of the market capitalization of all cryptocurrencies excluding Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins.

The chart below shows that this market cap peaked at $974 billion earlier this year and then plunged to the current $550 billion. It has crashed below the 50-week Exponential Moving Average (EMA), confirming the bearish outlook.

Most importantly, the valuation has formed a double-top pattern at $913 billion and a neckline at $451 billion, its lowest level in April when Donald Trump announced his “reciprocal tariffs”.

A double-top pattern is made up of two peaks and a neckline, which, in this case, is at $451. It often leads to more downside as it signals that bulls are afraid of placing bids above the upper level.

Meanwhile, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) and the MACD indicators have continued moving downewards in the past few months. 

Therefore, the most likely scenario is where it continues falling, with the next key target to watch being at $451 billion. This target is about 19% below the current level. A move below the neckline will point to more downside in the coming months. 

Altcoin Market Cap chart
Altcoin Market Cap chart | Source: TradingView

Altcoin Season at Risk as Ethereum Price Forms Bearish Technicals

The other reason why the atcoin season may not happen any time soon is that some of the top altcoins have formed bearish chart patterns.

This Solana price prediction found that the coin has formed a giant head-and-shoulders pattern, which is a common bearish reversal signs. Similarly, the DOGE price forecast pointed to more risky chart patterns. 

Ethereum, the biggest altcoin, has also formed numerous bearish patterns. The daily chart below shows that the token has remained below all moving averages and the Supertrend indicators. 

It has also formed a bearish pennant and a head-and-shoulders chart patterns. Historically, these patterns lead to more downside over time. 

Ethereum price
ETH price chart | Source: TradingView

There are other reasons why the altcoin season may not happen soon. One of the factors is that investors are experiencing a sense of fear, as evidenced by the Crypto Fear and Greed Index remaining below 30 this year. In most cases, investors dump altcoins whenever there is fear.

An altcoin season normally happens when Bitcoin is in a strong bull run. However, as we warned in this BTC prediction, it has formed numerous bearish patterns, including a rising wedge on the weekly and a bearish pennant on the daily. 

Therefore, the coin will likely continue falling in the near term, a move that will drag other altcoins downwards.

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Crispus Nyaga
Writer
Crispus is a financial analyst with over 9 years in the industry. He covers cryptocurrencies, forex, equities, and commodities for some of the leading brands. He is also a passionate trader who operates his family account. Crispus lives in Nairobi with his wife and son.