Bitcoin Pauses as Altcoins Gain Momentum: Is Altcoin Season Back?

Bitcoin traded sideways at around $84,300 as gains spread across altcoins; the altcoin season indicator climbed to its highest level in more than three months.

According to CoinDesk market data dated September 25, Bitcoin showed no significant change since 03:00 TRT. In contrast, 93 of the 100 assets in the CoinDesk 100 index rose over the past 24 hours. This figure refers to the assets covered by the index, not the entire cryptocurrency market.

Bitcoin rose from below $63,000 in August to nearly $87,000 on Tuesday, then began trading sideways. What stands out now is that the rally is spreading to smaller assets and different altcoin sectors.

Altcoin Season Indicator Hits a More Than Three-Month High

CoinMarketCap’s altcoin season indicator rose to 56 out of 100. Up from 45 a week ago and 38 a month ago, the indicator reached its highest reading in more than three months.

CoinDesk notes that in previous cycles, when Bitcoin’s strong rally paused, capital shifted toward more speculative assets. Current data also show altcoins gaining strength; however, a rising indicator alone does not confirm that a lasting altcoin season has begun.

Which Sectors Are Standing Out?

Over the past 24 hours, the CoinDesk 80 rose by about 5%, while the CoinDesk 5 gained just 1%. The DeFi index rose by about 9%, while the index covering computing- and AI-focused assets gained about 10%. This means the rally was not limited to just a few tokens.

All seven assets in the computing index rose, with Chainlink, Internet Computer, and Bittensor contributing to the sector’s move. In DeFi, Ondo, Lido, and Ethena stood out.

What distinguishes the picture is not just the price gains, but the growing number of assets and sectors participating in the rally. It remains to be seen whether this broadening trend, which is bolstering expectations of an altcoin season, will continue.