Recently, I noticed that more and more people in the crypto community are talking about altseason. But what exactly is altseason, and why does it generate so much anticipation? It’s a period when alternative cryptocurrencies start to grow much faster than Bitcoin, often leaving it in the shadow. This usually happens after BTC stabilizes or when Bitcoin enters a calm phase — that’s when capital begins to flow into altcoins.

Personally, I see several reasons why spring-summer 2026 could become a period of altcoin activity. First, it’s the traditional season for market recovery. Institutional investors return to the scene, update their portfolios, and start new cycles. This always pushes the market upward.

Second, Bitcoin’s halving in 2024 has laid the groundwork for delayed growth. History shows that 6-12 months after a halving, a bull market begins, which inevitably spreads to alternative assets. The macroeconomic situation also favors crypto — easing monetary policy is expected, meaning risk assets will receive support.

Honestly, I think many are holding portfolios at a loss. A bunch of dead tokens that haven’t interested anyone for a long time. People just need some movement to at least break even. But here’s the interesting part — market psychology is such that expectations often become a self-fulfilling prophecy. If the masses start believing in altseason and buying, prices will indeed go up.

Now about reality: altseason will happen, but not for all tokens. Projects that continue to actively develop and show real products will see good growth. Here are the categories I’m primarily watching.

Liquid altcoins with large market caps are clearly a priority. Ethereum, XRP, ADA, MATIC — these are assets with real ecosystems and user bases. As of writing, BTC is around $76.81K, ETH trades at about $2.12K, XRP at $1.35, ADA at $0.25, MATIC at $0.18. The second focus is Layer 2 and infrastructure solutions. Polygon, Optimism (OP trades at $0.13), Arbitrum ($0.11) — they address real scalability issues. The third category is tokens related to artificial intelligence and metaverses, though caution is advised here.

My practical advice for those currently at a loss: if you have dead tokens, don’t wait for a miracle revival. They might not come back even during altseason. It’s better to reallocate them into more liquid and promising assets. I would focus on key altcoins — ETH, MATIC, XRP, HBAR (trading at $0.09 with a +1.51% increase in 24 hours). These are projects with a high likelihood of showing growth.

But here’s the main point: even if altseason begins, in the long run, Bitcoin and Ethereum remain more reliable assets. They are the portfolio’s foundation. Altcoins are tools for additional income, but not the core.

Regarding timeframes, I see it this way: May-June 2026 is a more likely period for activity than early spring. The market could show good dynamics, especially if macroeconomic conditions remain supportive. But remember — this is a forecast, not a guarantee. Always manage risks and don’t invest more than you’re willing to lose.