Altcoins dropped the hardest, especially the small-cap tokens, in the recent market correction, which analysts suggest is likely to be shorter. The searches on Google painted a clear picture of what was building with the leading altcoin, Ethereum (ETH), asserting the prediction.
The analysis of the realized cap for Bitcoin (BTC) further supports a looming altcoin season, although it is likely to occur toward the end of the cycle. The fact that the total market cap held above its 2024 highs, serving as support, meant the bullish structure was still intact.
Altcoin Season Searches Surge
The first indication of this impending altcoin season was a spike in Google searches for the term “altcoin season,” which had previously been below 50. Over time, interest had been ranging below the 50 mark for the last ten days of October.
Historically, these searches coincide with rallies in altcoins when sentiment aligns across multiple alts. The reading was rhyming with the one seen from the beginning of Q2 to mid-August, where Ethereum led others by gains against BTC.
According to Carl Moon, the altcoin season was coming, drawing the prediction from this reading. However, this metric alone was insufficient to confirm this anticipation. Additionally, a clear break above the midsection was necessary for confirmation.

As the sentiment shifted, more metrics aligned with the prediction, providing some confidence to buy a few of the altcoins that were in the top sold territory. However, it was expected that only large-cap altcoins would be considered to reduce the risk of them becoming obsolete.
Ethereum Trading at a Discount Relative to Bitcoin
Secondly, the Ethereum price, which was the leading altcoin, was trading at a 42% discount relative to that of Bitcoin. Discounts typically lead to price bounces on crypto assets, as traders tend to buy them.
According to Ecoinometrics, if Ethereum ETFs attracted capital similar to that of BTC, then the current valuation of ETH would be a bargain. On that note, the analysis platform set the target at the mean of the altcoin for this trade. Ethereum has been in this state since the end of 2024 and continues to ride along.

Historical data showed that whenever the 50% threshold was surpassed, the prices of ETH were likely to dip. This observation is evident when Ethereum reached $4,000 between 2021 and 2022.
In 2024, we observed a different behavior, with prices either remaining in a range or even dropping, while ETH remained at a discount. However, a positive reaction emerged when ETH dropped below $2,000, as prices responded by almost reaching $5,000.
Will Altcoins Surge Towards the End of the Cycle?
Furthermore, CryptoQuant analysis suggested that the correction would not last long. Analysis of Bitcoin’s realized cap of UTXO age bands indicated the broader crypto market was undergoing a relatively small pullback.
To be specific, altcoins would rally harder, but ultimately, potentially hit local tops, as seen in previous cycles. An explosive surge in altcoins typically characterizes the final phase of the cycle.
The total altcoin market cap had revisited 2021 highs and failed to break above them. However, revisiting them would ignite an altcoin season, noting that they have been in a deep dip over the past three weeks.

In conclusion, the altcoin season remained in play, but it could occur at the end of the cycle, as predicted by a few analysts. Although there was no guarantee, given that altcoins have been increasing over the past year, the rise in searches indicated that the altcoin season was approaching.




