I've noticed that many people are currently confusing two concepts: a bull run and just a bull market. In fact, there is a serious difference between them that’s worth understanding so you don’t get caught on the tail end of the wave.

A bull market is when prices grow steadily for months or even years. It’s a long-term trend where most assets move upward calmly and confidently. A bull run — that’s something completely different. It’s explosive growth over days or weeks, when everyone around starts buying in a rush. A bull run is fueled by mass enthusiasm, positive news, and FOMO among investors. In crypto, these surges are especially sharp due to volatility.

How to tell if a bull run has started? First, trading volumes are increasing. The price is going up, attracting newcomers, who start buying, and the price climbs even more. It creates a closed cycle. Second, media begin writing about crypto more often, search queries jump up. Third, large investors and institutions start pouring capital in. News about big companies acquiring crypto acts as a catalyst. Fourth, this usually coincides with certain events — network upgrades, new regulations, approval of crypto ETFs. And the fifth sign — interest shifts from Bitcoin to altcoins. When lesser-known tokens start rising, it often means the bull run is already in full swing.

Currently, there are several factors on the market hinting at a potential bull run. Bitcoin has been showing a steady upward trend on higher timeframes since last year. This isn’t just a local spike but a long-term growth. Plus, major financial players are once again actively interested in cryptocurrency. The regulatory environment is also becoming more favorable, creating a foundation for mass adoption.

Technical indicators also show interesting signs. The RSI for Bitcoin on higher timeframes is at levels that coincided with the start of previous bull runs. Additionally, interest in altcoins is growing — a classic sign that the main bull run is already underway.

But there’s an important point: not every price jump is the start of a bull run. There are local pumps driven by speculation or manipulation. Many newcomers buy at the peak of hype and then face sharp corrections. So before entering, it’s essential to look not only at the price but also at fundamental factors, news background, and the overall market situation.

If a bull run has truly begun, Bitcoin could test levels of 83,000 and 90,000. But this isn’t a guarantee, just benchmarks that still need to be confirmed. The main thing — avoid catching the top and remember that any growth can be followed by a correction.