XRP, Cardano, and Solana lead capital rotation as altcoin season index rises to 61

The cryptocurrency market is showing clear signs of moving beyond a Bitcoin-centric phase, with altcoins such as XRP, Cardano, and Solana becoming increasingly prominent as capital flows begin to favor alternative digital assets. Recent moves across dominance metrics, exchange activity, and the Altcoin Season Index point to renewed interest in non-Bitcoin cryptocurrencies.

Altcoin season indicators gain momentum

CoinMarketCap’s Altcoin Season Index (ASI) has climbed to 61, a significant rise from the lower readings seen during Bitcoin’s dominant run this past summer. While the classic threshold for a full-fledged “altcoin season” is an ASI above 75, the current level signals a notable rotation toward altcoins, though not at a euphoric pace.

Glassnode’s data confirms this shift. The ratio of total spot trading volume to Bitcoin spot volume has returned to the 3x to 4x range, indicating that traders are deploying more capital into alternative cryptocurrencies rather than concentrating solely on Bitcoin. Higher ratios have historically aligned with periods of altcoin outperformance.

On the derivatives side, Coinalyze’s open-interest dominance chart demonstrates Bitcoin’s share is declining as the collective altcoin share climbs toward the 40% level. This expansion suggests greater derivatives-based engagement in the altcoin market, going beyond simple speculative spikes seen during retail surges.

CryptoQuant reported an uptick in the seven-day cumulative transaction count for altcoin inflows, particularly through Binance, as Bitcoin’s price remained stable at higher levels. Rising inflows often signal increased trading activity and greater liquidity within the altcoin space.

Liquidity is returning to altcoins, and analysts view the shift as a sign that the market’s focus is broadening beyond Bitcoin, especially as inflows rise on major exchanges like Binance.

While increased altcoin exchange inflows can precede selling pressure, in the context of a rising ASI, these movements often indicate renewed market participation and optimism among altcoin traders.

XRP regains technical momentum

XRP, a large-cap digital asset developed by Ripple Labs for efficient cross-border payments, is displaying notable technical resilience during this period of rotation. Its price is currently stable around $1.53 and has reclaimed key moving averages, including the 50-, 100-, and 200-day exponential moving averages, following a mid-year decline. The relative strength index (RSI) stands at approximately 59.5, reflecting constructive momentum without entering an overbought zone.

Overhead resistance levels for XRP are identified at $1.54 and $1.82, with additional supply zones at $2.42 and $2.70. Despite not yet breaking through these upper barriers, XRP’s recent structural shift positions it as a key beneficiary of capital rotation into large, liquid alternative coins with strong user communities.

Cardano and Solana benefit from capital flows

Solana and Cardano, two well-established layer-1 blockchain platforms, are also positioned to attract renewed capital amid the ongoing rotation. Solana, with its deep liquidity, institutional attention, and ETF speculation, typically experiences inflows early in such cycles. Cardano tends to follow, attracting traders seeking exposure to major blockchain ecosystems beyond the largest names.

Spot share expansion patterns from Glassnode support this perspective. Chains with active development, engaged communities, and substantial exchange coverage are often among the first to benefit as the ASI rises into the 60s and beyond.

Recent trends highlight that this period is an early-stage altcoin season where major projects regain importance, rather than a late-stage speculative rally dominated by less established tokens.

If the Altcoin Season Index continues to approach the 75 mark, large-cap projects such as Solana and Cardano are widely expected to see further inflows, reinforcing this new market dynamic.

For now, selective strength among established altcoins is evident, with XRP repairing its daily technical structure and Solana and Cardano emerging as primary destinations for the latest wave of liquidity.

Mini dictionary: Altcoin Season Index (ASI), a gauge that measures whether capital is rotating from Bitcoin into alternative cryptocurrencies, with values above 75 typically marking a robust “altcoin season.”