"Altseason," a term familiar to many crypto traders, refers to periods when altcoins significantly outperform major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum.

In the ever-evolving landscape of cryptocurrency, "altseason" represents a pivotal phenomenon where altcoins significantly outperform major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. This article delves into the historical patterns of altseason, exploring its implications for investors and the broader market dynamics. By analyzing previous cycles, we uncover the factors that typically trigger these explosive periods of growth, as well as the current market conditions that may signal the next altseason. Understanding these nuances is essential for both seasoned traders and newcomers seeking to navigate the complexities of crypto investing.

Understanding Altseason: What It Is and Why It Matters

"Altseason," a term familiar to many crypto traders, refers to periods when 

 significantly outperform major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. Historically, these phases have been characterized by capital rotation from Bitcoin into smaller, riskier projects, often leading to explosive growth in altcoin prices. This phenomenon has been evident in the past three major bull runs, notably in 2017 and 2021, when altcoins surged in value after Bitcoin reached new all-time highs (ATHs).

Bitcoin’s price movements have been cyclical since its inception in 2009. By analyzing historical price data, we can identify distinct periods of boom, bust and recovery. Notably, the two most recent bull runs have witnessed pronounced altseason events, whereby altcoins recorded extraordinary gains, often multiplying their market caps significantly.

For instance, during previous altseasons, the total market capitalization of altcoins surged between 6x and 7x. This explosive growth not only provided immense profit opportunities for traders, but also underscored the 

 inherent in the cryptocurrency space. However, one must also recognize that altseason often precedes the end of a bull run, as profit taking from large-cap tokens leads to a market correction.

Despite the historical significance of altseason, the current cycle appears markedly different. Bitcoin has continued to reach new highs while maintaining a strong market dominance, contrary to the typical pattern in which 

 declines during altseason. This deviation raises critical questions about the nature of the current market, and whether a traditional altseason is imminent.

The Current Landscape: Indicators and Influences

Several factors contribute to the unique dynamics of the current crypto market. First, it’s informative to underscore the importance of Bitcoin’s halving events, which historically precede significant market capitalization and dominance shifts. In previous cycles, Bitcoin's dominance tended to decline approximately 230 days post-halving, leading to a capital rotation into altcoins. However, the recent halving in April 2024 didn’t trigger the expected decline in Bitcoin dominance, suggesting a potential structural change in market behavior.

Moreover, the performance of Ethereum (ETH) relative to Bitcoin has also shifted. Historically, Ethereum served as a primary beneficiary during altseason, often experiencing substantial gains as traders rotated out of Bitcoin. However, since 2022, Ethereum has underperformed not only Bitcoin but also several competing "Ethereum Killers," such as Solana (SOL) and Sui (SUI. This relative underperformance has raised doubts about Ethereum's capacity to lead the market into a new altseason.

 has further complicated the landscape. While the introduction of these ETFs has driven Bitcoin’s price to new heights, it’s also resulted in a capital flow that remains largely focused on Bitcoin and Ethereum. Many institutional investors appear hesitant to rotate their capital into smaller, more speculative altcoins, opting instead to remain in regulated ETF products.

Last but not least, there’s been a significant increase in 

 supply, which has risen by 66% since the start of 2024. This indicates that while institutional activity may explain some market movements, retail engagement remains robust. 

 (CEXs) recorded their largest trade volumes in Q4 2024, suggesting that retail traders are actively participating in the market, potentially looking for altcoin opportunities as liquidity increases.

What Lies Ahead: Potential Scenarios for Altseason

Given the current market dynamics, traders are left to ponder whether an altseason is on the horizon and what form it might take. The accompanying report presents several scenarios that could influence the emergence and nature of the next altseason:

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Bybit x Block Scholes Institution Report: Altcoin Rotation — Why Altseason Hasn’t Come This Time?

Feb 10, 2025: Our weekly Institutional Insights explores the latest market developments — market performance, industry news, exchange-traded fund (ETF) flows, trending topics, upcoming events and token unlocks — to help you supercharge your crypto trading.

 explores the latest market developments — market performance, industry news, exchange-traded fund (ETF) flows, trending topics, upcoming events and token unlocks — to help you supercharge your crypto trading.

Weekly Highlight — Mixed Job Reports Rattle Market

The recent Bureau of Labor Statistics report indicates that U.S. job growth is slowing, yet remains healthy. Nonfarm payrolls grew by 143,000 last month, with upward revisions for November and December 2024, as they added 100,000 jobs. The unemployment rate has dipped to 4.0%, demonstrating a robust labor market, although the annual revisions suggest job gains were softer than initially reported, averaging 166,000 per month in 2024.

Simultaneously, inflation expectations are rising, driven partly by tariffs proposed by U.S. president Trump. Data from the University of Michigan reveals consumers anticipate price increases, which may complicate the Federal Reserve's decision-making. Fed officials have indicated they aren’t in a rush to lower interest rates further after a series of cuts last year, suggesting they prefer to observe how the economy reacts to potential policy changes.

The job growth in January 2025 was primarily concentrated in health care, retail and government sectors, while mining and manufacturing faced declines. Severe weather conditions contributed to nearly 600,000 people missing work, the highest impact in four years.

Despite these fluctuations, hourly wages increased by 0.5% month-over-month and 4.1% year-over-year, reflecting pressure on wages amid labor market tightness. The participation rate in the labor force stands at 62.6%, with notable contributions from foreign-born workers, highlighting immigration as a critical factor in employment growth.

As the Fed assesses the stability of the labor market, upcoming directives from the Trump administration, including potential immigration restrictions, could impact future job growth and economic conditions. While the landscape shows signs of moderation, it remains resilient, with cautious optimism surrounding economic stability.

Weekly Crypto Highlight — Crypto IPOs Coming

As reported, Gemini, the cryptocurrency firm founded by the Winklevoss twins, is potentially exploring an 

 (IPO) this year. The company is currently discussing the listing with potential advisers, although no final decisions have yet been made.

Bullish Global, a crypto exchange operator whose backers include billionaire Peter Thiel, is considering an IPO as soon as this year.

The interest in going public comes amid a surge of crypto firms accelerating their IPO plans since President Trump's election, as he has shown support for the industry. The Winklevoss twins, known for their legal battles with Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg, previously donated Bitcoin exceeding the campaign contribution limit to Trump, later receiving a refund for the excess.

Gemini employs over 500 people across several global locations, including New York, Seattle and London. Recently, the firm agreed to pay $5 million to settle a Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) lawsuit alleging it misled regulators while trying to launch the first U.S.-regulated Bitcoin futures contract. Additionally, Gemini has committed to returning at least $1.1 billion to customers affected by the Genesis Global Capital bankruptcy as part of a settlement with New York regulators relating to its Gemini Earn program.

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Weekly Institutional Insights: Mixed U.S. Job Reports; Crypto IPOs Coming

Our weekly crypto derivatives analytics report delves into macro events and the current state of crypto and trading signals from spot trading volume, as well as futures, options and perpetual contracts.

Another week brought another risk-off event in the crypto market, reflecting its correlation with equities. Despite last week's sell-off, BTC outperformed the broader market with a milder decline, evident in its derivatives positioning. Options markets initially priced short-term volatility higher, but the inversion resolved quickly. In contrast, ETH experienced a sharper inversion, with significant spikes in short-term options and realized volatility. A liquidation event led to an estimated $10 billion loss in open interest for perpetual swap contracts, 

. This bearish sentiment was reflected in funding rates, with altcoins showing a more persistent negative trend post-crash as compared to BTC.

Open interest collapsed across major tokens, flipping funding rates negative, except for BTC. ETH's realized volatility surged above 140%, its highest level in over three months, with the implied volatility term structure spiking and remaining inverted days after the crash.

Please check out the report’s highlights.

Open Interest Falls During Painful Liquidation Event

Another Monday sell-off occurred alongside a decline in U.S. equities and other risk-on assets due to fears over Trump tariffs, leading to a drop in perpetual swap positioning. Nearly $3.1 billion in open interest was wiped out from the perpetual swap markets of BTC, ETH, XRP and SOL after a late-Friday high. This decline was likely driven by liquidated leveraged positions, as traders missed margin calls during the rapid drop in spot prices. Bybit CEO Ben Zhou estimated that the true notional value of liquidated positions across markets may have ranged from $8 billion to $10 billion. The sell-off also triggered the largest spike in trading volumes in over a month, with $31 billion in perpetual swap contracts traded on Feb 2, 2025 across the four major tokens’ markets.

Altcoin Funding Rates in Negative; BTC Clings to Neutral Rates

A second consecutive Monday-morning sell-off has kept perpetual swap funding rates low and negative, indicating excess demand for leveraged short exposure. This trend likely stems from the liquidation of long positions, due to the sharp correction in spot prices. Notably, altcoins' funding rates have shown more consistency since February 3, 2024, reflecting their steeper declines as compared to BTC’s.

ETH's spot price experienced a deeper correction than BTC’s during Monday's sell-off, dropping below $2.5K. Surprisingly, options market activity remained steady, likely due to fewer at-risk leveraged long positions to liquidate, thus keeping open interest levels firm. However, the spot move caused realized volatility to spike near 140%, with options markets pricing in a significant term structure inversion that has yet to be resolved. ETH's implied volatility is approximately 15 points higher than BTC's at equivalent tenors, indicating that traders expect continued volatility in ETH's spot price.

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Bybit X Block Scholes Crypto Derivatives Analytics Report (Feb 5, 2025): Record Liquidations Result From Perp; Traders Expect More Volatility in ETH

Victoria VR leverages AI and blockchain to enhance gaming with immersive VR experiences, AI-driven interactions, and a self-sustaining digital economy.

With over 3 billion gamers worldwide (and counting), the 

 industry needs to constantly find new and innovative ways to keep their myriad participants entertained and engaged. Technologies such as virtual reality (VR) and the 

, which include augmented reality (AR) and 

, have contributed substantially to creating an immersive gaming experience.

As the metaverse continues to unlock endless opportunities for the gaming world, Victoria VR has set out on a mission to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) to improve gaming experiences.

Let’s take a deeper look at Victoria VR and the way it’s leveraging AI to tap into the gaming metaverse and upgrade users' experiences.

Victoria VR is a blockchain-powered virtual reality (VR) AI metaverse designed to leverage AI and VR to provide an immersive web3 gaming experience. 

The Victoria VR blockchain project is on a mission to create a thriving and immersive infrastructure in which the gaming world can explore its metaverse in an enhanced way.

Through AI, Victoria VR provides gaming developers with AI tools to build immersive games in a secure, transparent and scalable ecosystem. With features like the VR AI Builder and AI Agents, Victoria VR provides an AI-powered ecosystem to interact with its metaverse.

Its native token, VR, is poised to provide users with a self-sustaining virtual economy in which gaming, blockchain, the metaverse and VR content creation can interact cohesively.

To shape the future of VR through an AI-powered metaverse for immersive gaming, Victoria VR has created the following features.

The VR AI Builder is designed to simplify developers' challenges when creating VR content. Currently, VR game development requires programming skills and significant resources in terms of time and money. However, the VR AI Builder is integrated with OpenAI, making it simple to use with simple text commands. With VR AI Builder, anyone can quickly create VR content, thereby reducing costs, saving time and supporting scalable growth. It also supports integrating new AI technologies as they continually emerge.

The VR AI Builder empowers both novices and experienced developers to create and expand virtual worlds, complete with games and assets. Furthermore companies can use the VR AI Builder to create virtual buildings, showrooms and storefronts; simulate training; and provide immersive experiences to their customers.

The VR AI Builder is driven by the VR token, which plays a crucial role in building and monetizing virtual worlds.

At the heart of Victoria VR’s metaverse are its AI Agents, autonomous and intelligent creations that can independently interact and adapt in a virtual environment. These agents learn user behaviors and preferences in order to provide customized and effective support.

Creating VR AI Agents on the platform is accessible to everyone, and doesn’t require advanced technical knowledge. Some specific roles these agents can perform include NPCs in games, shopping assistants in virtual stores and even virtual teachers.

VRtap is a Telegram-based clicker PvP game by Victoria VR that uses feng shui to immerse players in an elemental adventure, helping the project community stay connected and engaged.

Some of the features of VRtap include the following:

VR is the native token that powers the Victoria VR platform. It's designed to facilitate seamless interaction on the platform and ensure a self-sustaining economy. The total supply of VR is 16.8 billion tokens, with a current circulating supply of just under 6.85 billion.

As a utility token, VR has numerous use cases on the platform, including staking, governance and diverse use in powering Victoria VR's AI and gaming aspects.

The VR token is crucial to the self-sustaining aspect of Victoria VR's gaming pillar. It’s designed to ensure long-term sustainable value for the various stakeholders in the ecosystem.

The VR token is essential for accessing and monetizing the VR AI Builder feature. Builders need VR tokens to buy VR land in order to start using the feature. Once you have VR content, you can monetize it and receive payments in VR tokens.

Furthermore, the platform collects part of the fees generated through this feature in the form of VR tokens, which boosts circulation and enhances token utility.

The VR token helps create and fuel intelligent virtual experiences through VR AI Agents on Victoria VR. VR tokens’ use cases for VR AI Agents include the following:

VR tokens facilitate user interaction with the Victoria VR metaverse via both PC and mobile versions. Users can earn VR tokens through activities such as mining and community engagement. These tokens also ensure a cross-platform economy, whereby VR tokens earned from either version can be used across the Victoria VR ecosystem.

 Perpetual contract in the Innovation Zone with up to 20x leverage. Tokens listed in the Innovation Zone are typically from new projects that may be subject to higher volatility.

As of Feb 7, 2025, Victoria VR's price was $0.007863, a 98.7% drop from its all-time high (ATH) price of $0.61 on Dec 10, 2021, and a 67.7% increase from its ATL of $0.0047 on Jan 3, 2023.

Price prediction experts are cautiously bullish on the future price of the VR token. Experts at CoinCodex believe that VR 

 a maximum price of $0.01 in 2027, and increase to $0.03 in 2030. Meanwhile, DigitalCoinPrice’s forecasting experts believe that VR 

 $0.028 in 2027 and reach $0.0425 by 2030.

That said, these bullish predictions don't guarantee the future price of VR. We highly recommend you 

 before investing in VR or any other cryptocurrency.

Victoria VR is redefining the metaverse with its AI-driven, hyperrealistic virtual world. By blending blockchain technology with immersive VR, it offers an unparalleled digital experience so users can explore, interact and create with limitless possibilities.

Victoria VR’s integration of AI into gaming through the VR AI Builder and AI Agents gives it a competitive edge, and makes the project stand out in the web3 space, making its native token, VR, an asset to watch in the web3 space.

Beginner

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Victoria VR (VR): The Ultimate AI-Driven Metaverse Experience

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Bybit Earn

There are three potential outcomes that can arise from using Bybit Discount Buy — Knockout, Profitable Purchase or Less Profitable/Break-Even Purchase.

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Bybit Discount Buy

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As the cryptocurrency market begins to show signs of a bullish trend, investors are increasingly on the lookout for innovative strategies to maximize their returns. In this dynamic landscape, Bybit's Discount Buy emerges as a noteworthy tool, especially for those who are optimistic about the long-term potential of digital assets. This article delves into the intricacies of Bybit Discount Buy, a novel offering that enables investors to purchase 

 (ETH) at prices potentially lower than the prevailing market rates at the time of settlement. 

Designed for markets with low volatility and tailored to the needs of long-term investors, this non-principal-protected product presents a unique opportunity in the realm of cryptocurrency investments. In this article, we’ll explain how Bybit Discount Buy works, how to use it strategically, and its potential outcomes and benefits.

Bybit Discount Buy is a product designed to let you potentially purchase BTC or ETH at a lower price than the market value on a future settlement date. 

On the settlement date, you’ll either buy the coin at the “purchase price” or receive your principal plus interest in USDT, depending upon the market price on the settlement date, also known as the Settlement Price. Discount Buy is a non-principal-protected product, meaning you may lose your initial investment if the market moves unfavorably.

Bybit Discount Buy operates based on three crucial parameters: Purchase Price, Knockout Price and Knockout APR. The Purchase Price is the price you'll pay for the coin on the settlement date, while the Knockout Price is the threshold triggering a payoff instead of the coin purchase. Finally, the Knockout APR signifies the 

 (APR) added to your principal in the payoff scenario.

Bybit Discount Buy becomes profitable when the Settlement Price (the coin's market price on a future settlement date) falls between the Knockout Price and the Purchase Price. This scenario enables you to purchase the coin at a below-market rate, potentially leading to profits upon resale. However, if the Settlement Price surpasses the Knockout Price, you'll receive a payoff in USDT, including your principal along with the Knockout APR. However, if the Settlement Price equals or falls below the Purchase Price, you'll buy the coin at the Purchase Price, potentially incurring a loss.

This product is suitable for investors anticipating a decline in market volatility, thereby benefiting those expecting the coin's price to remain within a specific range. It's also beneficial for investors aiming to accumulate more crypto during 

 or low volatility periods. Nevertheless, using Bybit Discount Buy demands adept risk management skills, a high tolerance for risk and a solid grasp of market trends.

How Discount Buy Differs From Traditional Crypto Trading

Unlike traditional crypto trading, in which you buy and sell coins at the market price, Bybit Discount Buy allows you to potentially lock in a lower price for your future purchases or earn a yield. This potential advantage allows you to either buy more coins with the same capital investment, save money on your purchase or collect interest. 

However, there’s also a risk that the market price will drop below the purchase price, in which case you’ll buy the coin at a higher price than the market rate. Therefore, Bybit Discount Buy is more suitable for long-term investors who believe in the future growth of their desired token, and aren’t affected by short-term price fluctuations.

Strategic Timing for Using Bybit Discount Buy

Discount Buy works well for investors who want to target a lower entry price than current market values for a coin. This product particularly thrives in stable market conditions. Understanding how to strategically use it involves considering the following factors.

Market sentiment, which reflects investors' feelings about the crypto market, significantly impacts Bybit Discount Buy's performance. Typically, during times of bearish or stable market sentiment, there's a greater chance of the Settlement Price falling within the Knockout Price and the Purchase Price, which can be advantageous. You can gauge 

 through sources such as news, social media, volatility indices and trading volume.

Price trends reflect the direction and strength of price movements. You can use tools such as trend lines, chart patterns and moving averages to assess them. Bybit Discount Buy is beneficial during a market consolidation phase when prices are expected to remain within a narrow range. 

This scenario allows either purchasing coins at a discount for later sale at the market rate or waiting for an upward breakout. However, using this feature during strong uptrends or downtrends may lead to missed opportunities or potential knockout situations, due to price movements breaking out of the expected range.

Determining whether to use Bybit Discount Buy involves comparing potential losses to potential gains in the contract, and assessing the 

, which depends upon plan parameters such as the Purchase Price, Knockout Price and Knockout APR. Generally, lower Purchase Prices elevate the risk/reward ratio, as they offer more significant discounts but increase the chances of being knocked out. 

Conversely, higher Knockout Prices lower the risk/reward ratio, as they provide a higher APR but reduce the chances of buying coins at a discount. Higher Knockout APRs increase the risk/reward ratio by offering more interest, but also heighten the chances of being knocked out.

When you use Bybit Discount Buy there are three specific potential outcomes, each presenting distinct conditions and strategies for users.

If the Settlement Price surpasses or equals the Knockout Price, users get back their principal plus the APR in USDT. 

Upon receiving USDT as a payoff, users have a couple of options: Reinvest it in buying more coins at a lower price, or put it into another Discount Buy plan with a higher APR or a lower Knockout Price.

Bybit offers several avenues for reinvestment, including 

 enables users to earn interest on their idle tokens by staking them in flexible or fixed-term plans. Choose from various tokens and durations and enjoy APR and other benefits. 

If the Settlement Price falls between the Purchase Price and the Knockout Price, you'll buy the desired coin at the Purchase Price and make a profit. This tactic locks in a lower price for the coin than the market rate at the settlement date.

 is a short-term trading tool tailored for low-volatility markets, allowing you to predict price movements within a specific time frame. Depending upon your forecast, you can deposit and potentially receive returns in USDT or crypto assets. With 21 coin pairs and three deposit periods available, Bybit Dual Asset 

 seeking enhanced returns, irrespective of market direction. It's ideal for those aiming to accumulate different crypto assets, capitalize on swings or make quick trades during both uptrends and downtrends.

 rewards you for providing liquidity to the Bybit Spot market. You can choose a trading pair, deposit funds to the liquidity pool, and earn income from trading fees and 

Buy Scenario 2: Less Profitable or Break-Even Purchase

When the Settlement Price falls below or equals the Purchase Price on Bybit, acquiring the target coin takes place at a rate that either doesn't yield profits or breaks even.

To minimize losses with Bybit Discount Buy:

 is a non-principal-protected product that offers a unique way to earn income from the crypto market. Unlike traditional trading, in which you buy and sell coins at the market price, 

 allows you to choose a base coin and a target coin, and receive a payoff based on whether the settlement price is higher or lower than the current price.

However, there’s also a risk that you may lose your entire investment if the settlement price falls within the preset range, which is determined by the product’s parameters. Therefore, Bybit Double-Win is more suitable for experienced investors who would like to capitalize on significant headline events that have shaken the industry or strategically manage risks associated with market volatility within a set time frame. Bybit Double-Win supports BTC, ETH and LINK as base coins and USDT as the target coin.

 are a type of derivative product that allows you to trade the price movements of various assets without owning them. You can choose to go long or short on a trading pair and 

 your position to amplify your profits or losses. For example, if you 

, you’ll incur 10 times the profit or loss as BTC’s price changes.

Evaluating Bybit Discount Buy for Your Trading Style

Bybit Discount Buy allows you to buy coins at lower prices than the market rates at settlement, based on the coins’ volatility. It’s ideal for traders who believe in the long-term growth of their desired coin and aren’t fazed by short-term price fluctuations. 

However, not all trading styles match this product. Here’s what to consider:

Bybit Discount Buy offers a strategic way to potentially acquire BTC and ETH at discounted rates. Not without its risks, It's best suited for investors looking to ramp up crypto holdings in bear markets at lower volatility levels. These investors feel more confident about long-term growth. Assessing market sentiment, understanding price trends and evaluating risk/reward ratios are critical. 

Each outcome — Knockout, Profitable Purchase or Less Profitable/Break-Even Purchase — provides a distinct feature that results in either a lower predetermined purchase price, offers a yield, breaks even or results in losses. Bybit also provides diverse avenues for reinvestment and portfolio expansion that complement Discount Buy. Make sure you align your opportunities with your trading style while considering volatility, liquidity needs and your time horizon. 

 and strategic use of this product can maximize its advantages for committed, risk-aware investors.

Bybit Discount Buy: Your BTC and ETH Bull Market Advantage

Grab Up to 5,000 USDT in Rewards

Grab Up to 5,000 USDT in Rewards