As Bitcoin inches toward its highly anticipated $100,000 milestone, it has encountered strong resistance—hinting at a potential consolidation phase. Historically, such pauses in Bitcoin’s rally have opened the door for altcoins to take center stage. In 2021, when BTC stalled, altcoins surged, delivering life-changing returns for early movers. Now, signs suggest a similar pattern could be unfolding in 2025.
With Bitcoin dominance retreating and on-chain activity heating up across alternative blockchains, the market may be on the cusp of another explosive altcoin season. This analysis dives into five high-potential altcoins from the 2021 bull run—Avalanche (AVAX), Polkadot (DOT), Fantom (FTM), Internet Computer (ICP), and Sui (SUI)—that are showing strong technical and behavioral signals of a major move.
Bitcoin Dominance Drops: A Green Light for Altcoins
Bitcoin dominance reached a peak of 61.53% on November 18, 2024—the highest since 2021—before beginning a steady decline. By November 26, it had dipped to 58.97%, signaling a shift in market dynamics.
When Bitcoin dominance falls, capital often rotates into altcoins. This trend typically precedes what’s known as altcoin season, a market phase where at least 75% of the top 50 altcoins outperform Bitcoin over a 90-day window.
In 2021, Bitcoin dominance dropped to as low as 40%, triggering a massive rally across the altcoin ecosystem. If history rhymes, we could see a similar capital migration in the current cycle—especially as investor appetite for innovation beyond Bitcoin grows.
👉 Discover how market cycles shape altcoin opportunities and position yourself early.
Is Altcoin Season Imminent?
The Altcoin Season Index on Blockchaincenter.net has climbed sharply—from 6 on November 5 to 57 at the time of writing. While the index must reach 75 to officially confirm “altcoin season,” this upward momentum suggests the market is warming up.
This metric tracks whether 75% of the top 50 non-stablecoin, non-wrapped assets (excluding Tether, DAI, WBTC, etc.) are outperforming BTC. A sustained rise indicates growing trader confidence in altcoins.
Though we’re not yet in full alt season, the trajectory is promising. Traders who position early—before the herd rushes in—often reap the most significant rewards.
Why These 5 Altcoins Could Lead the Next Rally
The altcoins highlighted here aren’t random picks. Each played a pivotal role in the 2021 bull market due to their real-world utility, ecosystem growth, and strong developer activity. Now, fresh data suggests renewed interest:
- Open interest (total value of open futures contracts) for AVAX, DOT, FTM, ICP, and SUI spiked on November 22, according to Santiment.
- Trading volume and on-chain address activity remain above average, signaling sustained engagement.
- These projects are part of a broader narrative: Ethereum alternatives and real-world asset tokenization, two of the most compelling themes of the 2025 cycle.
Let’s break down each altcoin’s potential.
1. Avalanche (AVAX): Targeting $80
Avalanche is showing strong bullish momentum. Its price recently gained nearly 20% in one week, and technical indicators suggest further upside.
- The Relative Strength Index (RSI) stands at 69—high but not yet overbought (which starts at 70).
- The MACD histogram is above the zero line, indicating positive momentum.
- Key moving averages (EMAs) are sloping upward, with strong support at lower levels.
If the rally continues, AVAX could climb 55% to retest its March 2024 high near $80—a psychologically significant level.
👉 Monitor real-time AVAX price action and prepare for breakout signals.
2. Fantom (FTM): Eyeing a 16% Surge
Fantom has rebounded with vigor, rallying 44% recently. The daily chart reveals:
- A potential move toward its March 2024 peak of $1.2292, which would mark a 16% gain from current levels.
- The all-time high of $1.6817 remains a longer-term target.
- MACD supports continued bullish momentum.
- Multiple exponential moving averages are acting as dynamic support zones.
With improved network activity and ecosystem development, FTM is regaining trader attention.
3. Sui (SUI): Bullish Structure Intact
SUI is trading at $3.4350**, with technicals pointing to a possible **15.26% rally** toward its 2024 high of **$3.9409.
- The price is trading above key EMAs, including the 50-day EMA at $2.6631, which serves as strong support.
- The RSI is upward sloping, reflecting building momentum.
- Developer activity and user growth on the Sui blockchain remain robust.
As one of the fastest-growing Layer 1 platforms focused on scalability and user experience, SUI is well-positioned for adoption gains.
4. Internet Computer (ICP): Breaking Out of Downtrend
ICP ended a prolonged downtrend on November 22 and is now in recovery mode.
- The next target: retesting its 2024 peak at $20.9850.
- Key resistance levels lie at Fibonacci retracement points: $13.3870 (50%)**, **$15.1800 (38.2%), and $17.3990 (23.6%).
- MACD confirms bullish momentum on the daily timeframe.
- A strong support level sits at $9.4790, offering downside protection.
ICP’s vision of running smart contracts directly on the internet resonates with developers seeking decentralized cloud alternatives.
5. Polkadot (DOT): Potential for 50%+ Gains
Polkadot is poised for a powerful move if alt season gains steam.
- A breakout above $10.50 resistance** could propel DOT toward **$11.8890—a 51% increase.
- The March 2022 high of $23.850 remains a long-term target.
- Despite a recent dip over seven days, MACD supports a short-term recovery.
- Support sits firmly at $4.7040.
With its parachain ecosystem expanding and cross-chain interoperability in high demand, DOT’s fundamentals remain strong.
FAQ: Your Altcoin Questions Answered
What triggers an altcoin season?
Altcoin season typically begins when Bitcoin dominance declines and capital flows into alternative cryptocurrencies. It's officially confirmed when 75% of the top 50 altcoins outperform Bitcoin over a 90-day period.
How can I spot early signs of an altcoin rally?
Watch for:
- Rising open interest in altcoin futures
- Increasing on-chain activity
- Declining Bitcoin dominance
- Growing volume in non-BTC trading pairs
Are these altcoins safe investments?
No investment is risk-free. These altcoins show strong technical and on-chain signals, but market conditions can change rapidly. Always conduct your own research and consider risk management strategies.
Can altcoins outperform Bitcoin again?
Historically, yes. During BTC consolidation phases—like the one we may be entering—altcoins often deliver outsized returns, especially those with strong use cases and active ecosystems.
Should I wait for altcoin season to start?
Timing the market is difficult. Many investors begin building positions during the buildup phase, before the index hits 75. Early entry can yield higher rewards but comes with higher risk.
What happens if Bitcoin breaks $100K?
If Bitcoin surges past $100K and continues climbing, it may delay altcoin season as capital stays locked in BTC. However, once BTC stabilizes, rotation into alts typically follows.
Final Thoughts: Positioning for the Next Wave
The stars may be aligning for another historic altcoin rally. With Bitcoin dominance fading, open interest rising, and technical charts flashing bullish signals, now is the time to research and strategize.
The five altcoins covered—AVAX, DOT, FTM, ICP, and SUI—are not just relics of 2021. They represent evolving ecosystems with real utility in decentralized finance, smart contracts, and blockchain interoperability.
While past performance doesn’t guarantee future results, the convergence of on-chain data, market structure, and investor sentiment suggests these assets could play a major role in the next leg of the bull run.
👉 Stay ahead of the curve—track these altcoins and explore trading opportunities today.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Always do your own research before making any investment decisions.