Cryptocurrency is full of trends, and one of the most exciting periods for crypto enthusiasts is known as altcoin season.
Whether you’re new to crypto or looking to expand beyond Bitcoin, understanding altcoin season can open the door to discovering new technologies, communities, and opportunities across the blockchain ecosystem.
In this blog, we’ll explore what altcoin season is, look back at key historical trends, and introduce you to the top altcoins of 2025 by market cap — plus how to get started if you’re ready to buy.
Key Takeaways
- Altcoin season is when altcoins (cryptos other than Bitcoin) gain major attention and adoption, often growing faster than Bitcoin during certain market cycles.
- The top altcoins of 2025 by market cap include Ethereum, XRP, BNB, Solana, Dogecoin, and others, each powering different areas of the crypto ecosystem.
- You can easily buy altcoins with a debit or credit card using RockItCoin’s Buy with Card page, which offers over 30+ altcoins.
What Is Altcoin Season?
Altcoin season refers to a time when altcoins outperform Bitcoin in terms of market growth, user adoption, and overall attention. It usually follows or overlaps with periods of high Bitcoin activity, as traders and investors look for the next opportunity in the broader crypto market.
Some common signs that an altcoin season is underway:
- Bitcoin dominance (percentage of total crypto market cap) starts to decline
- Altcoin trading volumes and social chatter increase
- New trends like NFTs or DeFi emerge and attract users
Altcoin season is not just about price spikes. It also reflects broader interest in the diverse use cases of blockchain technology beyond Bitcoin.
A Brief History of Altcoin Seasons
2017-2018
The first major altcoin season occurred during the 2017 bull run:
- Bitcoin dominance fell from ~86% in early 2017 to ~38% by early 2018
- Ethereum (ETH) rose from $8 to over $1,400
- Ripple (XRP) surged from $0.006 to $3.00
- Many altcoins launched through ICOs (Initial Coin Offerings), introducing new blockchain ideas
2020-2021
Another notable altseason came during the 2020-2021 cycle:
- Bitcoin dominance dropped again, from ~70% to ~38%
- DeFi and NFTs led the way for altcoins like Solana, Chainlink, and Uniswap
- Ethereum’s ecosystem expanded massively as developers launched thousands of decentralized applications (dApps)
These historical periods show that altcoin seasons tend to happen when the crypto ecosystem is evolving rapidly.
Top Altcoins of 2025 by Market Cap
Here are the top altcoins in 2025 by market cap, each offering a different perspective on how blockchain technology is being used around the world:
Ethereum (ETH) – $243.5B Market Cap
Ethereum is a blockchain that lets people build apps that run without middlemen, like banks or tech companies. It’s popular for things like digital art (NFTs) and financial tools called DeFi.
XRP (XRP) – $140B Market Cap
XRP helps people send money across borders quickly and for very low fees. It’s often used by banks and companies that need fast international payments.
BNB (BNB) – $88.9B Market Cap
BNB is the main token used on Binance, one of the biggest crypto exchanges. People use it to pay fees and take part in special programs on the Binance platform.
Solana (SOL) – $71.5B Market Cap
Solana is a fast and low-cost blockchain used for building apps, games, and digital collectibles. It’s known for handling thousands of transactions every second.
Dogecoin (DOGE) – $29.2B Market Cap
Dogecoin started as a joke but became popular because of its fun community. It’s often used for tipping online and making small donations.
Cardano (ADA) – $26.1B Market Cap
Cardano is built to be a safe and energy-efficient blockchain. It uses research to guide how the network grows and improves over time.
TRON (TRX) – $21.7B Market Cap
TRON is a blockchain made for sharing digital content like videos and music. It lets creators earn money directly from fans without using big tech companies.
Chainlink (LINK) – $10.1B Market Cap
Chainlink brings real-world information, like weather or sports scores, into blockchain apps. This helps make smart contracts more useful in everyday life.
Avalanche (AVAX) – $9.2B Market Cap
Avalanche is a fast, eco-friendly blockchain that lets people build their own crypto apps and networks. It’s designed to be super quick and low-cost.
Stellar (XLM) – $8.8B Market Cap
Stellar helps people send money across the world quickly and cheaply. It’s built to support those who don’t have access to traditional banking.
How to Safely Explore and Buy Altcoins
If you’re new to altcoins, here are some simple ways to get started:
- Do your research: Read about each altcoin’s use case, roadmap, and team
- Use trusted platforms: Stick to secure, well-known providers
- Start small: You don’t have to buy a whole coin — crypto is divisible
- Protect your assets: Consider using a secure wallet for storage. For beginners, we recommend the RockItCoin app.
Where to Buy Altcoins
- For the widest variety of altcoins, check out RockItCoin’s Buy with Card page. Through our MoonPay partnership, you can buy 30+ altcoins using your debit or credit card.
- Prefer cash? You can also visit a RockItCoin Bitcoin ATM to buy Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), and Bitcoin Cash (BCH).
Conclusion
Altcoin season represents a period of innovation, excitement, and opportunity in the crypto world. As we continue in 2025, the top altcoins by market cap reflect a wide range of technologies and communities making their mark on the blockchain space.
If you’re ready to explore altcoins, head to RockItCoin’s Buy with Card page to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
This article was originally published September 10th, 2024, and was updated March 26th, 2025, to reflect the most accurate data on altcoins.
