Altcoin Season

Definition ∞ This term describes a market phase where cryptocurrencies other than Bitcoin experience significant price appreciation. It is characterized by a widespread upward trend across a broad spectrum of altcoins, often outperforming Bitcoin in percentage gains. This phenomenon is driven by increased investor interest and capital flows into the altcoin market, signaling a potential shift in market sentiment.
Context ∞ The current discussion around altcoin season often centers on identifying leading indicators and potential catalysts for such a market event. Analysts are scrutinizing on-chain data, developer activity, and macroeconomic factors to predict its onset and duration. Key debates involve whether current market conditions are conducive to a sustained altcoin rally or if it represents a transient speculative phase.