What Is the Altcoin Season Index?
The Altcoin Season Index measures whether the broader crypto market is being driven by Bitcoin or by altcoins. It works by checking how many of the top coins by market capitalization have outperformed Bitcoin’s price over a set period. When most of them are beating Bitcoin, the market is said to be in “Altcoin Season.” When most are lagging behind it, it’s “Bitcoin Season.”
How Coin680 Calculates It
This index checks the top 50 coins by market capitalization, excluding stablecoins and wrapped/pegged assets (which don’t reflect real market performance), and calculates what percentage of them gained more than Bitcoin did over the trailing 30 days. A reading of 75 or higher means Altcoin Season; 25 or lower means Bitcoin Season; anything in between is Neutral.
Note: the original version of this index popularized by the community typically uses a 90-day window. Coin680’s version uses a 30-day window based on publicly available market data, so treat it as a shorter-term read on market rotation rather than a direct like-for-like match to other Altcoin Season trackers you may have seen elsewhere.
Why It’s Useful
Bitcoin and altcoins tend to move in cycles. Recognizing which phase the market is in can help put day-to-day price moves in context — a big altcoin rally means less if the whole market is already in “Altcoin Season,” and a strong Bitcoin move matters more when altcoins are broadly lagging behind it.
Disclaimer: The content provided on this page is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Cryptocurrency markets are highly volatile and involve significant risk of loss. Always do your own research and consult a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decisions.