{"id":29457,"date":"2025-10-06T16:03:54","date_gmt":"2025-10-06T16:03:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vtmarkets.com\/?p=29457"},"modified":"2025-10-06T16:03:54","modified_gmt":"2025-10-06T16:03:54","slug":"week-ahead-all-eyes-on-altcoins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vtmarkets.com\/en-eu\/featured\/week-ahead-all-eyes-on-altcoins\/","title":{"rendered":"Week Ahead: All Eyes on Altcoins"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The question isn\u2019t whether altcoin season will happen. It\u2019s when. Every major crypto cycle begins the same way: Bitcoin (BTC) leads, stabilises, and hands the rally baton to smaller coins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The last two rotations, in 2017 and 2021, each saw the Bitcoin dominance collapse from above 70% to around 40%, unlocking explosive rallies across Ethereum (ETH), Ripple (XRP), and a long list of smaller assets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">A long-simmering clash between Bitcoin purists and altcoin advocates is reaching a high-stakes battleground: the corporate-treasury boom <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/w3SryDRwJq\">https:\/\/t.co\/w3SryDRwJq<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Bloomberg (@business) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/business\/status\/1967663473686442187?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">September 15, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, the pattern is re-emerging. The market share of Bitcoin has slipped below 59%, its weakest since early 2024, while the total market capitalisation of altcoins has climbed to roughly USD 1.69 trillion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Analysts are eyeing USD 2.3 trillion as the line that would confirm a full rotation of capital into non-BTC assets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Beneath those headline numbers, DeFi activity is picking up again, transaction volumes are trending higher, and large wallets are quietly accumulating mid-cap tokens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Bitcoin set a fresh record on Sunday for the first time since mid-August, as the US government shutdown drove investors to safe-haven assets in a migration dubbed the \u201cdebasement trade\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/qmqFvllG7n\">https:\/\/t.co\/qmqFvllG7n<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Bloomberg (@business) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/business\/status\/1975013174286958883?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">October 6, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Institutional inflows into altcoin-focused ETFs are beginning to build momentum, marking a return of patient, structured capital to a market that\u2019s long been ruled by emotion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Liquidity finds the market<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Macro conditions are also turning more favourable. In September, the\u00a0Federal Reserve trimmed rates by 25 basis points, the first cut in months. Fed Chair Powell hinted that more could follow before year-end. The US M2 money supply has surged to USD 22 trillion, its fastest expansion in a year and a half.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts are likely to lead to an economic rebound next year that spurs investors to bet on rate increases by late-2027, Citigroup strategists say <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ZD1y4V4sNz\">https:\/\/t.co\/ZD1y4V4sNz<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Bloomberg (@business) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/business\/status\/1974183235321049110?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">October 3, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Historically, periods of rapid liquidity growth have coincided with stronger risk sentiment, and crypto has often been the earliest to respond. If policy stays on this trajectory, liquidity could fuel an altcoin rally well into early 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Retail curiosity returns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Retail traders are starting to take notice. Google searches for \u201caltcoins\u201d have jumped 40\u201350% since late September, while social engagement around ETH, Solana (SOL), and Chainlink (LINK) has surged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These early signs of retail curiosity mirror the build-up seen before previous altseasons. The leaders are already breaking ahead: XRP, SUI, and LINK have shown relative strength against BTC, often the first clue that capital is rotating toward higher-beta names.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Wall Street, crypto industry say tokenization will reshape global markets: &#39;It\u2019s going to eat the entire financial system&#39; <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/QpMZU3wZDr\">https:\/\/t.co\/QpMZU3wZDr<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Yahoo Finance (@YahooFinance) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/YahooFinance\/status\/1974853618562978006?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">October 5, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Still, traders should tread carefully. The popular\u00a0altcoin season index\u00a0measuring how many top-100 coins outperform BTC has already crossed the 80 mark this year but failed to trigger a true rally. Many smaller coins barely moved, showing that the indicator is often backward-looking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In reality, most of the money is made before the data confirms it. That\u2019s why analysts focus instead on BTC dominance trends, altcoin market cap acceleration, and DeFi liquidity growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Has the altseason begun?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If these signals continue to align, the next altcoin season could emerge between October 2025 and February 2026. Timing, however, remains tied to macro catalysts. Faster rate cuts, approvals for spot ETFs, or regulatory milestones such as the U.S. Clarity Act could accelerate the cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the other hand, any delay in easing or a sudden risk-off move could push the timeline back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This cycle may be larger in scale but narrower in scope. Some forecasts project that total altcoin market capitalisation could eventually reach USD 15 trillion, driven by institutional adoption and the tokenisation of real-world assets. Yet unlike\u00a0the 2017 frenzy, the rally may centre on fewer names.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Institutional money prefers liquidity and compliance, meaning capital could cluster around established ecosystems rather than scatter across thousands of speculative tokens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For traders, that shift changes the strategy. The coming altcoin cycle may reward precision more than speculation. Watching how liquidity, regulation, and macro policy evolve will be key. If history holds true, what\u2019s forming now beneath BTC\u2019s surface may soon become the market\u2019s next major rotation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key movements of the week<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The first week of October opened with a cautious tone as traders digested mixed macro signals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vtmarkets.com\/en-eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/03\/codeZTU0MWUzMzJmODRlNTdlZWE4MDc0N2E1MjA3NWMwMjFfZnZTRUo1WlhjWkRHM21rWTFPODZ6d2RRTjRPSEs1TU1fVG9rZW46QThIdWJjc25VbzBXMEd4NEkwRGxUd0xCZ2RoXzE3NTk3Mzg2NTA6MTc1OTc0MjI1MF9WNA.png\" alt=\"us-dollar-index-usdx\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The US dollar index (USDX) extended its climb from the\u00a097.00\u00a0monitored zone, opening the week with a gap higher. Traders are watching\u00a098.05\u00a0closely as the next key resistance level. While the broader uptrend remains intact, the index could enter a larger consolidation phase if momentum slows. In that case, buying interest is likely to reappear near\u00a096.85\u00a0or\u00a096.60, where previous rebounds have formed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vtmarkets.com\/en-eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/03\/codeNmVkZWY1NmU3ZmNhMzA0Yjc0YWY2MTcxOGNjNjY4MTZfTVJiQWRmU2JvZ3M3MWk3cmVGcmFXZjc5WGRaQnRwdEZfVG9rZW46SWZPTWJHMzM1b3E2a0l4MHRzc2x6V2dRZ2JmXzE3NTk3Mzg2NTA6MTc1OTc0MjI1MF9WNA.png\" alt=\"eur-usd-euro\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>EURUSD mirrored this strength in reverse, sliding lower after gapping down from the\u00a01.1805\u00a0resistance zone. The pair\u2019s structure suggests continued downside pressure unless it can sustain a move above\u00a01.1800, where sellers are expected to defend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vtmarkets.com\/en-eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/03\/codeNzM0Zjc4NTM0ZTk4MmU1NDBmZDIwMTY0NDgwYzdlYWZfTFlQYVRsVHlteDA3UVdJUTVaOFMxUk5jRm4wQmlCN09fVG9rZW46S3ZFbmJhMkNyb2l4QTF4RDhjbGxVZ3NBZ2xnXzE3NTk3Mzg2NTA6MTc1OTc0MjI1MF9WNA.png\" alt=\"gbp-usd-british-pound\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>GBPUSD followed a similar trajectory, extending its decline from the previous week and finding short-term interest around\u00a01.3395. Any recovery toward\u00a01.3540\u00a0could face renewed selling as markets await fresh guidance from the Bank of England.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vtmarkets.com\/en-eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/03\/codeYzM0MmRmOTJmZDMxMzU3NTFjMDE4ZGZjZmY2YTk1ZThfRFh4cW1vb1pHS0JKQzZwV1pId0w2NmUyak5OZndobHJfVG9rZW46SWt6WmI3ME9sb3ZLOTh4VkNEdmxrZUoxZ2lmXzE3NTk3Mzg2NTA6MTc1OTc0MjI1MF9WNA.png\" alt=\"usd-jpy-japanese-yen\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>USDJPY gapped higher in line with last week\u2019s bullish bias, edging closer to breaking the\u00a0149.95\u00a0high before a potential consolidation. A confirmed breakout could see momentum extend toward\u00a0150.911, a level that would test the patience of Japan\u2019s policymakers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>USDCHF, meanwhile, slipped from the\u00a00.8000\u00a0zone and now trades within a consolidation band. Should price dip further, buyers are expected to defend the\u00a00.7915\u00a0level to maintain upward structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Among the commodity-linked currencies,\u00a0AUDUSD\u00a0opened the week with a gap lower before stabilising near\u00a00.6570. If recovery extends, traders will monitor\u00a00.6650\u00a0for bearish price action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The\u00a0NZDUSD\u00a0chart paints a similar picture: after dropping early in the week, price rebounded from the\u00a00.5790\u00a0zone. Resistance remains between\u00a00.5860\u00a0and\u00a00.5890, with potential for sellers to re-enter if risk sentiment weakens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Commodities extended their retracement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vtmarkets.com\/en-eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/03\/codeNTAzZWJiY2JkZjBlMGRhMWZlNDBhZWM3ZGQ4ZDVmZjZfTnh3V3c1Y2hpdnoxRUVkeGd4d0duZ0s4U0ZiNFhNT3pfVG9rZW46RGJhQWJkQ1I5b0F6U2F4aGp1cmw4Y3lsZ0hnXzE3NTk3Mzg2NTA6MTc1OTc0MjI1MF9WNA.png\" alt=\"xau-usd-gold\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Gold surged to a fresh all-time high, testing the USD\u00a03,915\u00a0resistance area as investors sought safety amid global rate uncertainty. A breakout above this level could open the door toward USD\u00a04,075, though the move appears stretched after a strong run. Traders are closely watching for profit-taking signals before committing to new longs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Oil, meanwhile, is attempting to recover after weeks of losses. A sustained move above USD&nbsp;<strong>62.665&nbsp;<\/strong>would signal that buyers are regaining control, though fundamentals remain fragile amid uneven demand expectations. Any rejection at this zone could see prices retreat toward prior support levels near the low-60s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Equities entered October on firmer ground but are showing fatigue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vtmarkets.com\/en-eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/03\/codeZjkzZjVlNTcyZjRmNGI0MTg4OGQyODNiZDcxZDIxOTNfVTMwWFBQd0hua3lYbG1GUlVoS0EyM3FPRGFqU2szZHZfVG9rZW46RFhSTmJnNWw3b2JRZEZ4eldiWGxrV3J3Z3loXzE3NTk3Mzg2NTA6MTc1OTc0MjI1MF9WNA.png\" alt=\"sp-500\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The\u00a0S&amp;P 500\u00a0continues to face resistance near\u00a06,750, where price action suggests sellers are beginning to reassert control. Should momentum persist,\u00a06,840\u00a0marks the next area of interest. Broader sentiment remains cautious as markets await clarity on Fed policy and Q4 earnings guidance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bitcoin, by contrast, is once again stealing the spotlight. The world\u2019s largest cryptocurrency surged to a new record above USD\u00a0125,700\u00a0on Sunday, breaking through resistance with strong volume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vtmarkets.com\/en-eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/33\/2026\/03\/codeYTRmNGIwZTU2YzY4YmZhZGM3ZjVlZmZhYWRjZTU4YTZfZ0dYcGYwS2N6TXo1Q04yVWFVdk15b1FCaTBDWXpROFhfVG9rZW46V1k2MWJwNDhsbzRmd0x4NkVXZGxwUHZFZ3llXzE3NTk3Mzg2NTA6MTc1OTc0MjI1MF9WNA.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If consolidation patterns hold, analysts see scope for another leg higher toward\u00a0$135,000. The move underscores the broader divergence between traditional and digital assets, where equity traders are treading water, crypto investors appear to be gearing up for the next rally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key events of the week<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The week ahead offers a calmer start before major data hits midweek, setting the tone for currency and rate expectations heading into mid-October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tuesday brings two key central-bank speeches.\u00a0ECB President Lagarde\u00a0and\u00a0BoE Governor Bailey\u00a0are both scheduled to speak, and markets will be listening closely for clues on future interest-rate management. The euro and pound have traded in tight ranges in recent sessions, but any hawkish tone could revive volatility as traders recalibrate rate-cut expectations for year-end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On\u00a0Wednesday, the\u00a0Reserve Bank of New Zealand\u00a0will announce its\u00a0Official Cash Rate, currently forecast at\u00a02.75 % versus 3.00 % previously. A dovish reduction would confirm policymakers\u2019 shift toward easing after months of slowing growth, potentially pressuring the New Zealand dollar. Traders are watching for selling opportunities on NZDUSD should price action make another attempt higher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The focus then shifts to\u00a0Friday, when the macro calendar accelerates.\u00a0RBA Governor Bullock\u00a0is set to speak, and markets expect remarks tied to Australia\u2019s softer inflation outlook and the potential for further easing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The same session will bring the all-important\u00a0US Non-Farm Employment Report, with payrolls expected to rise by\u00a051 K versus 22 K previously, while the\u00a0unemployment rate\u00a0is projected to hold at\u00a04.3 %. Stronger-than-expected numbers could dampen speculation of additional Fed cuts, offering a temporary lift to the dollar; weaker data would reinforce the dovish bias that has underpinned recent market moves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Later in the day, the\u00a0University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index\u00a0rounds out the week, with forecasts pointing to\u00a054.6 versus 55.1\u00a0previously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Any surprise rebound could suggest consumer resilience despite policy uncertainty, while further softening would fit the slowing-growth narrative that has shaped investor sentiment through early October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Looking ahead, the following week will be heavier on data, featuring\u00a0US CPI,\u00a0PPI, and\u00a0Retail Sales, alongside\u00a0UK GDP, all due between\u00a015\u201316 October 2025. These releases will provide the next key test of whether the global easing narrative can sustain its grip on markets or if inflation pressures return to complicate the picture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Click\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vtmarkets.net\/trade-now\/?utm_campaign=account_c&amp;utm_source=market_forecast&amp;utm_medium=website\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>\u00a0to open account and start trading.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The question isn\u2019t whether altcoin season will happen. It\u2019s when. Every major crypto cycle begins the same way: Bitcoin (BTC) leads, stabilises, and hands the rally baton to smaller coins. The last two rotations, in 2017 and 2021, each saw the Bitcoin dominance collapse from above 70% to around 40%, unlocking explosive rallies across Ethereum <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vtmarkets.com\/en-eu\/featured\/week-ahead-all-eyes-on-altcoins\/\" class=\"read-more\">Continue Reading<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":29458,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14,17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-29457","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-week_ahead"],"acf":{"acf_article_selection_author":null},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vtmarkets.com\/en-eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29457","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vtmarkets.com\/en-eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vtmarkets.com\/en-eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vtmarkets.com\/en-eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vtmarkets.com\/en-eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29457"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.vtmarkets.com\/en-eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29457\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vtmarkets.com\/en-eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/29458"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vtmarkets.com\/en-eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29457"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vtmarkets.com\/en-eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29457"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vtmarkets.com\/en-eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29457"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}