As crypto markets stir with signs of momentum, traders and analysts are paying close attention to the classic indicators of an incoming “alt season”—a period when altcoins outperform Bitcoin. In response to our pitch, these experts shared their perspectives and the specific signals they track, including BTC dominance, ETH/BTC strength, funding rates, and the behavior of TOTAL2 and TOTAL3 market caps.
Mixed Signals Suggest a Cautious Approach
Eugene Musienko, CEO of Merehead, is seeing early signs of life in altcoins but stops short of calling it a full breakout. His focus is on structural indicators that align gradually rather than all at once.
“I wouldn’t call it alt season yet, though the signs are creeping in. I usually track BTC dominance, ETH/BTC, and the strength of TOTAL2 and TOTAL3 — if they push higher together, that’s a strong clue. Funding rates and spot vs. perp flows also help me gauge whether the market’s heating up or just faking the move. Right now, it feels more like a cautious buildup than the full-on frenzy of alt season.”
Ahmed Yousuf of CoinTime also senses that the market is approaching alt season territory but hasn’t crossed the threshold yet. He’s tracking the usual mix of dominance, strength, and institutional activity.
“I think we’re nearing alt season, but not fully there yet. Bitcoin dominance is declining, ETH/BTC is gaining strength, and we’re seeing early breakouts in TOTAL2 and TOTAL3 charts. Funding rates are flipping positive for major alts, and institutional interest in ETH is rising. I watch BTC dominance, ETH/BTC, TOTAL3 breakouts and market breadth.”
Indicators Point to a Developing Rotation
Corina Tham of CheapForexVPS sees encouraging trends but stresses the need to confirm with broader market participation and technical breakouts. Her view is informed by a multi-layered framework.
“Currently, we may be nearing an ‘alt season,’ but it’s not definitive yet. One of the primary indicators I watch is BTC dominance—if it begins to decline sharply, it often signals a shift toward altcoins. Another key metric is the ETH/BTC pair; a strong breakout in Ethereum relative to Bitcoin can indicate growing strength in alts. I also monitor TOTAL2 and TOTAL3 charts for breakouts, as these represent the altcoin market caps excluding BTC and ETH, respectively. Additionally, funding rates and spot vs. perpetual flows give insight into market sentiment and whether capital is flowing into alts. Market breadth, or the number of altcoins showing bullish patterns, also plays a crucial role in confirming broader alt strength.”
Crypto Recovery Services‘ Robbert Bink, a recovery specialist and blockchain enthusiast, is more confident that alt season is near. He draws from technical metrics as well as behavioral shifts across markets.
“I believe we’re approaching alt season based on several key indicators. First, I monitor the BTC dominance trend—any sustained drop often signals capital rotation into alts. Second, ETH/BTC performance is critical; an upward trend here suggests altcoin strength. Third, watching TOTAL2/TOTAL3 breakouts helps confirm momentum in alt-focused market caps. Also, diverging spot vs. perp flows and positive funding rates across alts further support the case for alt season.”
Clear Rotation and Momentum Confirmed
Yuri Berg, CBDO of FinchTrade, has the clearest conviction among this group—he believes the market has already entered alt season. His confidence stems from all five of his tracked indicators flashing green.
“I believe we’re entering alt season—BTC dominance is cracking and money is rotating. My five indicators are firing: BTC dominance hit almost 58% and trending down, ETH/BTC broke above key resistance showing altcoin leadership, TOTAL2 pushed through previous highs confirming broad altcoin strength, funding rates turned positive across major alts (traders paying premiums to stay long), and spot volumes are leading perpetual action rather than following it. When spot leads and perps chase, that’s sustainable momentum. The rotation started with smart money—retail participation comes next.”
Alt season remains a topic of close debate, with some seeing early confirmation and others urging patience. Regardless of stance, each expert is tracking a similar set of metrics—BTC dominance, ETH/BTC, TOTAL2/TOTAL3, funding rates, and volume structure—offering a consistent framework for traders navigating the current cycle.