The crypto market doesn't move in straight lines. You'll watch Bitcoin and altcoins trade sideways for weeks—maybe months. Volume stays flat, sentiment feels dead, and everyone's convinced nothing's happening. Then suddenly, everything shifts.

One catalyst, one institutional move, one technical breakout... and the entire market wakes up. What looked boring just days ago becomes explosive. This is the pattern that catches most traders off guard. The slow accumulation phase feels pointless while you're in it, but that's exactly when smart money is positioning. Then all at once—the real move happens.

The key? Recognizing the difference between boring markets and bottoming markets. Not every quiet period precedes a rally, but every major rally is usually preceded by one.