Altcoin season in the crypto market: ten cryptocurrencies worth buying

Altcoin season is a period when altcoins (all cryptocurrencies other than bitcoin) outperform bitcoin in terms of growth.

An altcoin season usually kicks off when promising coins gain more attention and investment. Bitcoin’s price rise can lead to some selling and reinvestment into more profitable assets.

Additional triggers for an altcoin season can be trending sectors like NFTs or DeFi, attracting investors. Bitcoin’s price increase can also push newcomers to invest in lower-priced altcoins.

Ten cryptocurrencies that may be profitable during the altcoin season

Ethereum (ETH)

Ethereum ETFs were approved in May, significantly impacting the second-largest cryptocurrency in terms of market cap. These products require their registration statements to go live before trading can start. Ethereum-based ETFs are expected to hit the U.S. Stock Exchange in a couple of weeks. During the short-term, ETH’s price may fluctuate between $3,650 and $4,150. Once ETF trading commences, Ethereum’s price will likely stabilise above $4,000, aiming to surpass its all-time high of $4,863.78.

Solana (SOL)

Solana boasts competitive technologies like Sealevel, Turbine, and sharding. Its ecosystem is expanding quickly: since April 2024, over 60 meme coins have been launched on this network, with spot SOL ETFs discussed for 2025. Analysts predict SOL’s price will settle between $166 and $188 by mid-summer, possibly reaching $400 by the end of 2024.

Toncoin (TON)

Toncoin, the native cryptocurrency of the TON network, is widely used in decentralised apps and services. Recently, Pantera Capital invested over $250 million in TON, marking a record for the fund. TON’s Total Value Locked (TVL) has grown by 1500% since the year’s start. Tether also issued the USDT stablecoin on the TON network, with 200 million USDT in circulation. TON’s price is expected to hover between $5 and $6 in June and early July, potentially reaching $10 and beyond.

Chainlink (LINK)

Chainlink collaborates with giants like JPMorgan, SWIFT and DTCC. LINK and the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation recently tested a pilot project to accelerate fund tokenisation involving JPMorgan, Templeton, and BNY Mellon. Analysts highlight LINK’s strength among altcoins. A strong support level for LINK is at $18. Analysts at EXMO.com expect the cryptocurrency’s price to rise to $32-$36 during the summer, possibly setting a new record in the fall.

Sui (SUI)

Sui’s ecosystem, which includes over 150 projects, is growing rapidly. The total value locked in the Sui Network has surpassed $700 million. Sui has also partnered with Google Cloud and Alibaba. The optimal price range for accumulating SUI is between $0.93 and $1.45, which might remain until mid-summer. With the onset of the altcoin season, SUI’s price could reach $9 or even $10.

Polygon (MATIC)

Experts note that MATIC is significantly oversold (trading well below its fair value). Since the beginning of the year, there has been a significant increase in interest in MATIC and activity from large investors. MATIC’s price has remained stable since the summer of 2022, indicating potential for sharp movements. MATIC’s price range is expected to reach $4-$5 during the altcoin season.

Optimism (OP)

Ethereum’s founder, Vitalik Buterin, has repeatedly expressed support for OP and other Layer 2 solutions, positioning them as cultural extensions of ETH. He emphasised that Optimism and other Layer 2 solutions enable the emergence of subcultures with significant resources for the ETH ecosystem. The optimal price range for accumulating OP is $1.8-$2. OP is forecasted to rise to $12 during the altcoin season and possibly even $14.

Arbitrum (ARB)

Arbitrum (ARB) is a Layer 2 solution that ensures scalability without compromising Ethereum’s security model. Currently, L2 networks are less profitable compared to other crypto sectors, as meme coins lead the market. However, this situation is expected to change soon, making now a favourable time to accumulate ARB. The optimal price range for ARB is around $1, with a potential rise to $7.50-$9 during the altcoin season.

The Graph (GRT)

According to the project’s CEO, The GraphEdge & Node’s decentralised data storage and query tools are used in almost all DeFi protocols. The Graph has introduced new blockchain data services, including AI-powered queries. The growth potential for AI tokens during the current bull market is limitless. GRT is among the strongest tokens in the DeFi and AI sectors. The nearest support level is around $0.25. Analysts predict GRT’s price will reach at least $1.3 and possibly $3.50-$4.

Aave (AAVE)

Recently, Aave Labs developers presented the “Aave 2030” roadmap, which includes the release of the V4 update in mid-2025 and the use of new architecture. Like MATIC, AAVE’s price has remained stable since the summer of 2022, and large players have accumulated this asset since early 2024. The optimal range for accumulating AAVE is $90-$95. During the altcoin season, AAVE’s price is expected to rise to at least $550 and possibly even exceed $700.

When will the altcoin season start?

An altcoin season typically progresses through four stages: bitcoin growth, ethereum growth, large-cap altcoin growth, and the growth of the other altcoins. The first phase is usually the longest, while the last progresses fastest.

We are already observing the growth of bitcoin and ethereum, indicating that altcoin season is approaching. EXMO.com analysts predict it will start in mid-summer or early fall.

Two indices help identify the start of altcoin season:

• Bitcoin Dominance Index: This shows the ratio of bitcoin’s market capitalisation to that of all other coins. When the dominance index falls below 50%, altcoins have a larger market capitalisation. As of 11th June 2024, this index stood at 55.7%.
• Altcoin Season Index: This measures the performance of the top 50 altcoins. An altcoin season has begun if at least 75% of them have outperformed bitcoin over the past 90 days. As of 11 June 2024, this index stood at 20 points.

A good indicator of the start of the altcoin season will be a combination of three factors: bitcoin’s price stabilising, its dominance decreasing, and trading volume in the market increasing.

How to get ready for the altcoin season

Start adding the right assets to your crypto portfolio to maximise your gains when prices rise. But you don’t have to just hold them in your wallet: EXMO.com lets you grow your assets before the altcoin season through the Earn program.

It’s easy: log into your account on EXMO.com, buy some SOL or TON for example and start an Earn subscription. When the subscription period ends, you’ll receive rewards, so when the altcoin season arrives, you’ll have even more assets – and more profit!

Disclaimer. Investing in cryptocurrencies is your responsibility. We are not responsible for any potential losses during trading. Always remember to DYOR (do your own research) when choosing a project to invest in.