The latest developments have emphasized expanding artificial intelligence capabilities within the Pentagon while cryptocurrency values continue to plummet. Bitcoin 
$78,680 has dropped to $88,000, failing to maintain essential support levels ahead of this Friday’s options expiration. Those anticipating a bullish altcoin phase are left wondering about future possibilities.
Reality of Altcoin Surges
Benjamin Cowen addressed individuals who anticipated an altcoin boom this year, urging them to postpone their hopes to 2026. Contrary to expectations, the past year has not seen the anticipated altcoin bull market. Despite a brief uplift at the end of 2024, the market quickly reversed, leading to a significant decline. In 2025, most altcoins did not even surpass their 2024 peaks, resulting in a disappointing period.
“Many people held onto valueless altcoins, believing in uncertain promises of an altcoin season.
However, macroeconomic conditions and monetary policies were not conducive to such speculation in this cycle.
Predictions for an altcoin season in 2024/2025 were unsuccessful, pushing hopes to 2026. Remember, true wealth is built by acquiring quality assets and holding them long-term.”
Hayes recently echoed similar sentiments and recommended assets akin to HYPE Coin.
Challenges in Activating Altcoin Markets
Unlike previous cycles, we experienced unique challenges this year. Institutional capital entering the cryptocurrency space made it more sensitive to macro and geopolitical developments. Discussions on tariffs, wars, and delayed interest rate cuts by the Fed were prominent. Constant negotiations, conflicts, and trade war headlines, notably with Trump clashing with the EU and China, disrupted the market environment throughout the year.
Amid tariffs targeting chip manufacturers like Nvidia and debates about the AI bubble intensifying, Japan’s interest rate hikes brought “carry trade ending” headlines thrice. The year 2025 was packed with numerous incidents that dampened investor appetite, aligning with the four-year cycle story of a peak followed by a downturn in the last quarter.
The year was dismal for cryptocurrencies due to external factors, and each recovery attempt was thwarted by new developments affecting the markets. Simultaneously, a multitude of layer-2 solutions and countless altcoins and meme coins flooded the market.
The outcome? Exceptions like HYPE and ASTER achieved good gains with short-lived enthusiastic trends. Despite Bitcoin and Ethereum 
$2,316 reaching all-time highs, the year did not feel bullish. We can only hope that in 2026, discussions on unrelated topics like tariffs, inflation, and the AI bubble won’t stifle the markets, allowing long-held altcoins to finally prosper.
