Altcoin Season Index

What Is Altcoin Season?

Altcoin season happens when the majority of altcoins (anything that isn't Bitcoin) outperform BTC over a given period. The standard benchmark is 90 days. If 75% or more of the top 50 altcoins by market cap have gained more than Bitcoin in that window, we call it altcoin season.

It's a cyclical phenomenon. Bitcoin typically leads the market during the early stages of a bull run, then money starts flowing into altcoins as traders look for higher returns. This rotation from BTC to alts is one of the most predictable patterns in crypto markets.

How the Index Works

We look at the top 50 altcoins by market cap (excluding stablecoins) and compare each one's 90-day price performance against Bitcoin's 90-day performance. If an altcoin gained 40% while Bitcoin gained 20%, that alt is outperforming. We count the percentage of alts that beat BTC and display it as the index score.

• 75-100: Altcoin Season. Money is flowing into alts heavily.
• 50-74: Altcoin Month. Alts are gaining but not dominating.
• 25-49: Bitcoin Season. BTC is leading the market.
• 0-24: Strong Bitcoin Season. Almost everything underperforms BTC.

Why Altcoin Season Matters

Knowing whether it's altcoin season helps you allocate your portfolio. During Bitcoin season, holding more BTC makes sense since it's outperforming everything else. During alt season, rotating some BTC profits into quality altcoins can amplify your returns.

But timing this rotation is tricky. Alt season can end abruptly when Bitcoin starts a new leg up and sucks liquidity out of alts. The safest approach is to always maintain a core BTC position and only allocate a portion to alts, increasing that allocation when the index confirms alt season.

Historical Patterns

In previous cycles, alt season has typically occurred in the later stages of bull markets, after Bitcoin has already made its major moves. The 2017 and 2021 cycles both saw explosive alt seasons where small-cap coins gained 10x to 100x in weeks. But they also ended violently, with many alts losing 90%+ when the market turned.

Bitcoin dominance (BTC's share of total crypto market cap) is a related metric. Falling dominance often correlates with rising altcoin season scores. Our index gives you a more granular view by looking at actual price performance rather than just market cap shares.

Tips for Alt Season

• Don't chase pumps. By the time a coin has already 5x'd, most of the easy gains are gone. Look for alts that haven't moved yet but have strong fundamentals.
• Take profits. Alt season gains evaporate fast. Set profit targets and stick to them. Taking 50% profit on a 3x gain is better than holding for 5x and watching it come back to breakeven.
• Stay liquid. Keep some capital in stablecoins so you can buy dips. Alt season is volatile, and 20-30% pullbacks are normal even in uptrends.

Related Tools

Check the Fear & Greed Index to gauge overall market sentiment during alt season. Our Bitcoin Rainbow Chart shows where BTC sits in its long-term cycle. Use the Portfolio Tracker to monitor your alt positions and allocation.