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Altcoins show limited movement while analysts revisit signs linked to the end of the bearish phase.
Trading volumes increase slightly, yet altcoin charts remain mostly flat without clear momentum.
Bitcoin dominance stays firm, which keeps altcoin action weak despite rising market discussions.
Crypto markets stepped into December 2025 with rising interest in altcoins as several tokens began to move after months of slow trading. Bitcoin traded near $87,000 on December 2, and Ethereum closed at $2,800. The wider market experienced higher levels of volatility during the last few weeks, creating uncertainty. With new activity building up, the focus has shifted toward smaller coins that are showing upward momentum.
The Altcoin Season Index stood in the mid-30s. A rise above 40 usually suggests the possibility of stronger performance from altcoins. Fear and Greed readings moved from extreme greed to a more neutral setting, hinting at a market that felt less tense after recent pullbacks.
Several research reports from 2025 reported stronger gains across non-Bitcoin sectors during different months of the year. These sectors included:
Layer one blockchains with active developer communities
DeFi tokens tied to real trading demand
Mid-cap projects showing steady upgrades and growing users
This pattern helped build confidence among analysts who tracked momentum shifts.
Bitcoin’s dominance is in the upper 50% range. This shows that most crypto funds are still assigned to Bitcoin rather than spreading across altcoins. Big product inflows into Bitcoin throughout the year also slowed any rotation into other assets. Market desks pointed out sudden price spikes caused by leveraged trades and corporate updates, which added to market instability.
Analysts who expect a stronger altcoin phase are tracking some important metrics:
A Bitcoin breakout that does not push dominance higher
More on-chain activity on networks like Solana, Avalanche, and Base
Higher fees that reflect actual usage on growing ecosystems
Stable global conditions that support risk assets
Exchange reports from early December showed rising volumes in mid-cap altcoins and fresh stablecoin flows into spot markets. These trends often appear before wider rallies.
Also Read: Is Crypto Bottoming Out or is Altcoin Season Still on Hold?
Smaller tokens can climb quickly but can fall just as fast because of limited liquidity. Analysts pointed out that careful positioning still mattered. Many charts hinted at improving strength, but the market needed consistent confirmation before a full shift could be declared.
December 2025 opened with a mix of early signals that hinted at a possible end to the long bearish stretch. Altcoins showed renewed interest, Bitcoin held steady, and trading patterns suggested a slow but noticeable rotation. The next few weeks will show whether these signals grow into a broad altcoin season or remain early signs of a market in transition.
1. What are analysts watching to decide if an altcoin season may begin?
Analysts track Bitcoin dominance, on-chain activity, and trading volumes. These signals help show if money is moving toward altcoins or if the market is still unsure.
2. Why are altcoins not reacting, even with rising market discussions?
Altcoins remain flat because liquidity stays tight and traders wait for clearer signals. Bitcoin dominance also limits movement, keeping altcoins from showing strong shifts.
3. How does Bitcoin dominance affect the chances of an altcoin rotation?
High dominance means most market capitalization stays with Bitcoin. Until that number drops, altcoins rarely gain enough momentum to show a clear or steady market response.
4. What signs hinted at a possible end to the long bearish trend in 2025?
Fear and Greed readings eased, volumes picked up slightly, and early signals appeared across several networks. These hints pushed analysts to study market shifts closely.
5. Why is December 2025 considered an important point for crypto watchers?
The month opened with slow altcoin charts but growing discussions. This mix created a moment where small signals might develop into a trend or fade if support stays weak.
