Top crypto analysts are calling it: the next altcoin bull run has officially begun. A series of market charts shared this week by traders AO and Whale Everything suggest that the altcoin market is repeating the same setup that preceded explosive rallies in both 2018 and 2021, and could now be gearing up for another run toward 2026.
According to AO, the total altcoin market cap (excluding Bitcoin and Ethereum) has just printed a “long wick” candle pattern strikingly similar to the one that appeared right before the 2021 surge. Back then, altcoins multiplied in value as Bitcoin consolidated, leading to record gains across top Layer 1 and DeFi tokens.
“The structure is identical,” AO wrote, posting a chart projecting a breakout that could carry through well into 2026.
Whale Analysts Spot Third Consecutive “Bullish Cross”
Adding to the bullish narrative, data shows that the MACD indicator for the Altcoins vs Bitcoin chart has flipped positive, a technical event known as a bullish cross. The same signal appeared at the start of both previous altseasons in 2018 and 2021.
“Be patient, the mega pump is coming,” the analyst posted, noting that every altcoin cycle has started from a similar setup: months of consolidation, followed by a breakout against Bitcoin as capital rotates into higher-risk assets.
The chart shows the ratio between altcoins and Bitcoin bouncing off multi-year support and now trending toward the upper resistance line last tested in 2021. If history rhymes, this could mark the early stage of a full-blown altseason.
Bitcoin’s Dominance Weakens as Capital Rotates
Altcoin strength often comes at the expense of Bitcoin dominance, a metric that tracks Bitcoin’s share of total crypto market capitalization. After reaching above 56% earlier this quarter, dominance has started to slip slightly, signaling that traders may be reallocating into altcoins.
Analysts note that while Bitcoin remains the market anchor, its recent consolidation near the $110K–$115K range has opened space for capital rotation into smaller assets. Historically, such periods have triggered multi-month rallies across Layer 1 ecosystems, DeFi platforms, and emerging narratives like AI tokens and gaming coins.
2026: The Next Altcoin Supercycle?
If the pattern holds, the next 12–18 months could mirror 2020–2021, when total altcoin market capitalization surged from under $100 billion to over $1.5 trillion. Both AO and Whale Everything predict a potential breakout extension into 2026, driven by lower Bitcoin volatility and renewed liquidity entering riskier crypto sectors.
For now, analysts agree on two key points: patience and positioning. Bitcoin may set the stage, but altcoins, once again, appear ready to steal the show.