Altcoin Season is not confirmed yet, as Bitcoin dominance remains high across the crypto market.
SOL is showing strong momentum driven by high on-chain activity and rising institutional interest.
XRP benefits from regulatory progress and steady product inflows, supporting relative strength.
The crypto market often moves in cycles, and one of the most talked-about phases is ‘altcoin season.’ This is the period when alternative cryptocurrencies start to outperform Bitcoin by a wide margin. Many traders are again asking the same question: Is an altcoin season starting, and could Solana (SOL) and XRP move ahead of Bitcoin this time? Current data shows mixed signals, with some strong signs for select altcoins but not yet for the full market.
Altcoin season is not just about a few coins pumping fast. It usually happens when most large and mid-size altcoins perform better than Bitcoin over a longer period. A popular market indicator tracks whether 75% of top coins beat Bitcoin in the last 90 days. The latest reading of this index is 35, and it is clearly labeled as “It is not Altcoin Season!”. This number is important as it shows that Bitcoin is still leading the market overall, even if some altcoins look strong right now.
This suggests the market may be in a transition phase, not a confirmed altcoin cycle yet.
Another key signal is Bitcoin dominance, which measures how much of the total crypto market value belongs to Bitcoin. At the moment, Bitcoin dominance sits around 56.32%, while Ethereum holds about 11.91%. Bitcoin’s share has also increased compared to last month.
Historically, real altcoin seasons happen when Bitcoin dominance drops clearly and keeps falling. High dominance usually means investors still see Bitcoin as the safest place to keep capital. With dominance still elevated, it becomes harder for altcoins as a group to truly “leave Bitcoin behind,” even if a few big names do well.
Also Read: Is Solana a Good Investment in 2026? Buy, Sell, or Hold Explained
Price action across the market looks strong. Bitcoin is trading near $96,601, showing continued confidence after its recent rally. Solana is priced around $144.4, while XRP is near $2.11. These are healthy levels and reflect strong interest, especially in large-cap altcoins.
Bitcoin’s rise has been linked to optimism around US crypto policy and discussion in the Senate about the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act. These developments improved overall sentiment, lifting the whole market. Solana recently pushed above a key resistance zone near $146.93, which many traders see as a technical breakout attempt. XRP holding above the $2 level is also viewed as a psychological support that keeps buyers interested.
Still, strong prices alone do not confirm an altcoin season. Breadth across many coins is still missing.
Solana stands out through its network activity. On-chain data shows very high activity levels. The chain recorded around $5.214 billion in decentralized exchange volume in 24 hours, with 7-day DEX volume near $29.284 billion. Daily active addresses are about 2.89 million, and daily transactions are close to 75.93 million.
This level of usage suggests real demand and heavy trading, not just price speculation. In past cycles, this kind of activity often appears before major altcoin runs. If Bitcoin starts moving sideways while Solana keeps these numbers high, SOL could continue to outperform even without a full altcoin season.
Another positive sign for Solana is growing interest from traditional finance. A Morgan Stanley Solana Trust filing dated January 6, 2026, showed that large institutions are exploring structured exposure to SOL. Even if inflows start slowly, these products make it easier for big investors to get involved.
Access matters a lot in crypto markets. When institutions have simpler ways to invest, capital can move faster once sentiment turns fully risk-on. This gives Solana an advantage compared to many smaller altcoins.
XRP’s strength comes from a different angle. Ripple recently received preliminary authorization for an e-money license in Luxembourg. This could allow expansion of regulated payment services across parts of Europe, which fits the altcoin’s long-term use case. Ripple has also engaged with US regulators, pushing for clearer and more practical crypto rules.
On the investment side, XRP has seen notable product inflows. One Bitwise XRP ETF product recorded a single-day net inflow of $4.51 million on January 9, 2026, with total assets reported in the hundreds of millions. These steady flows can support XRP price even when retail interest cools down.
Also Read: XRP vs Bitcoin: Rare Ichimoku Breakout Signals Potential XRP Rally
Right now, the data points to selective strength, not a full altcoin breakout. Altcoin season indexes remain low, and Bitcoin dominance is still high. This means Bitcoin continues to lead the market overall.
However, Solana’s strong on-chain activity and institutional access, combined with XRP’s regulatory progress and product inflows, create real chances for relative outperformance. If Bitcoin pauses or moves sideways while dominance slowly drops, SOL and XRP could gain more ground.
For now, the market looks like it is testing rotation rather than confirming it. Altcoin season may be coming later, but it is not fully here yet, at least not for the whole market.
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1. What is Altcoin Season?
Altcoin Season is a market phase when most altcoins outperform Bitcoin over a sustained period.
2. Is Altcoin Season happening right now?
Current data shows it is not fully active yet, as Bitcoin still leads the crypto market.
3. Why is Solana performing well?
Solana has very high network usage, strong trading volume, and growing institutional exposure.
4. What is supporting XRP’s price?
Regulatory progress, licensing developments, and investment product inflows are key drivers.
5. Can SOL and XRP outperform Bitcoin?
They can outperform during short rotations, but a full shift needs falling Bitcoin dominance.