Despite a market slump in the second half of 2025, charts have captured 3 strong signals pointing to a major altcoin counterattack in 2026, drawing attention.

On Jan. 2, blockchain media outlet BeInCrypto analysed 3 signals that foreshadow an altcoin season in 2026.

The first signal is bullish divergence on the weekly charts of multiple altcoins. This is a pattern in which prices fall while indicators such as the relative strength index (RSI) rise, suggesting weakening bearish momentum and a possible reversal higher. Crypto analyst Michaël van de Poppe mentioned that such a pattern is being observed in Optimism (OP), Arbitrum (ARB), Near (NEAR) and Avalanche (AVAX), among others.

The second signal is the potential rise in the Others.D indicator, which tracks the market share of the remaining altcoins excluding the top 10 cryptocurrencies by market capitalisation, excluding Bitcoin, Ethereum and major stablecoins. Analysts are forecasting a possible move higher as it breaks out of a multi-year downtrend. According to BitcoinConsensus, Others.D is currently at 6.88 percent and could expand to 13.77 percent. This is interpreted as a signal suggesting strength in the altcoin market.

The third signal is increasing altcoin trading volume. On-chain analyst CW8900 said altcoin volumes on centralised exchanges, excluding the top 5 cryptocurrencies, have risen sharply compared with the previous cycle. The analysis is that despite falling prices and the exit of retail investors, whale investors are leading the altcoin market and preparing for a future bull market.

Still, skepticism in the market remains strong. Gracy Chen, chief executive of Bitget, assessed that an altcoin season in 2025 to 2026 is unlikely to arrive.

Ultimately, the key is whether substantial liquidity flows in. Even if technical indicators lead, gains may be limited unless the macroeconomic environment supports them. In early 2026, whether the altcoin market can move beyond a simple technical rebound and develop into a 'real rebound' with actual capital inflows is expected to be a watershed for the market's direction.