Meme Coin Gains and Ether's Rise Could Signal Imminent Altcoin Season

According to CoinDesk, this week's significant gains of meme coins such as DOGE, SHIB, BONK, PEPE, and dogwifhat (WIF) may be an early sign of an altcoin season, according to K33 Research. Swissblock analysts suggest that Ether (ETH) breaking above $3,500 could confirm the start of altcoins outperforming bitcoin. Bitcoin (BTC) has been leading the digital asset rally recently, but there are early indications of a so-called 'altcoin season' approaching, when smaller tokens outperform, analysts said. BTC is already near its all-time high set in 2021, hitting $64,000 this week alongside strong inflows into spot bitcoin ETFs. It has gained 48% since the start of the year, while the broad-market CoinDesk 20 Index (CD20) was up 33% during the same period, highlighting the underperforming altcoin sector. K33 Research analysts said in a Friday market report that altcoins could soon start outperforming, based on historical trends. The report noted that bitcoin's market cap has doubled relative to the total value of all cryptocurrencies except BTC and ether (ETH) since the November 2022 market bottom. This week's 'tremendous' meme coin rally might be a 'possible early sign' of the impending altcoin season, they added. Popular dog-themed tokens dogecoin (DOGE) and shiba inu (SHIB) booked 40%-50% gains this week, while newer entrants like pepe coin (PEPE) bonk (BONK) and dogwifhat (WIF) doubled or more in price during the same period. However, the report pointed out that timing the altcoin season is a 'risky sport,' as the bitcoin ETFs have altered the crypto investment landscape, and there's no guarantee that the money flowing to bitcoin will eventually trickle down to smaller assets. Swissblock analysts said in a Friday market update that 'signs point to an imminent alt season.' According to a chart shared on Telegram, the median return of altcoins versus bitcoin appears to be reaching a bottom, and could turn soon, lifting altcoin prices relative to BTC. The key signal to look for to confirm the start of a period of altcoin outperformance is ETH's clearing the $3,500 price threshold, Swissblock said.