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Crypto traders are once again turning their attention to the possibility of an upcoming altseason—and one chart is fueling much of that discussion. A widely shared post by Crypto Patel highlights a recurring long-term pattern in the ALTS/BTC dominance chart that has appeared in every major market cycle to date.
The core thesis is straightforward: altcoins often remain subdued for extended periods, but once capital rotation begins, their upside moves can be rapid and substantial.
According to the chart, a familiar structure is forming as the market moves deeper into 2026. While this does not guarantee a repeat of past outcomes, it helps explain why traders are closely monitoring this setup—particularly given similar developments in 2018 and 2021.
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### The Altcoin Signal Traders Are Watching
The ALTS/BTC chart tracks the relative performance of altcoins against Bitcoin over time. A key observation is the formation of a long-term ascending channel. Historically, each time altcoin dominance has approached the lower boundary of this channel, it has preceded a strong expansion phase.
* In 2018, altcoins surged after Bitcoin’s momentum cooled, marking the first major peak.
* In 2021, a similar pattern emerged, with altcoins outperforming once Bitcoin dominance plateaued.
Currently, the chart suggests that altcoins are once again testing the lower end of this channel. This positioning is why many traders believe a comparable setup could unfold heading into 2026.
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### Why Altcoins Typically Rally After Bitcoin
Altseason dynamics are largely driven by liquidity rotation. Bitcoin usually leads the cycle due to its status as the most liquid and widely trusted crypto asset. Capital flows into Bitcoin first, establishing the broader market trend.
Once Bitcoin’s rally slows or enters consolidation, traders begin reallocating capital in search of higher returns. This shift often benefits altcoins, which—being smaller and more volatile—tend to deliver sharper percentage gains when liquidity expands.
This cyclical behavior is central to Patel’s analysis: Bitcoin initiates the move, and altcoins follow with amplified momentum once rotation begins.
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### Why 2026 Is Drawing Attention
The growing focus on 2026 stems from the chart’s current positioning near a historical breakout zone. If the established channel structure remains intact, it could signal the early stages of another altcoin expansion phase.
While this does not confirm the onset of a supercycle, it reinforces a recurring market rhythm—where dominance alternates between Bitcoin and altcoins in wave-like cycles.
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### The Critical Insight
Altcoin rallies rarely begin with widespread excitement. Instead, they typically emerge during periods of low sentiment—characterized by consolidation, drawdowns, and uncertainty. This is precisely why early accumulation phases often feel counterintuitive.
By the time broader market participants recognize the trend, a significant portion of the move has usually already occurred.
That is the essence of Patel’s argument: the market may still be in a quiet phase, but if historical rotation patterns repeat, the next altcoin surge could materialize more quickly than expected once momentum returns.
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### Bottom Line
Altseason 2026 remains a forward-looking scenario, not a certainty. However, the ALTS/BTC chart is exhibiting a structure that closely resembles previous cycle setups seen in 2018 and 2021—periods when Bitcoin led the market before altcoins delivered outsized gains.
If this rotation unfolds again, altcoins could be positioned for another major breakout phase. For now, the setup alone is enough to reignite market interest, as its similarity to past cycles is difficult to ignore.
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