Why the Long-Awaited Altcoin Bull Market Faces Tough Hurdles in 2025

Altcoins hit turbulence as experts flag structural roadblocks ahead.

Market watchers see liquidity crunches, regulatory overhang, and Ethereum's scaling woes throttling the rally before it reaches escape velocity.

Retail FOMO meets institutional skepticism—with most alt projects still burning cash faster than a meme coin rug pull.

The Waiting Game

Benjamin Cowen offers a candid perspective on the elusive altcoin bull run, suggesting that those who have patiently awaited it may need to defer their expectations until 2026. He argues that despite temporary surges at the end of 2024, these gains were ephemeral, with most altcoins failing to surpass their previous highs in 2025. According to Cowen, the key to wealth generation lies in investing in sound assets and holding them for the long term.

“Many held onto worthless altcoins, hoping for an altcoin season that macro conditions avoided. After predictions for 2024/2025 failed, expectations shifted to 2026. Remember, true wealth is built by buying and holding good assets long-term.”

Cowen’s sentiments echo recent remarks by Hayes, who advised investors to consider assets like HYPE Coin. The economic and geopolitical developments have impeded the potential bull market, with cryptocurrencies increasingly sensitive to such influences as institutional capital entered the space.

Why the Bull Market Remains Elusive

Distinctive elements in past cycles include heightened sensitivity of cryptocurrencies to geopolitical and macroeconomic changes. Tariffs, war, and monetary policy indecision, particularly by the Fed, have created a challenging environment. Intense trade standoffs led by TRUMP with both the EU and China have hit headlines, affecting global economic sentiments.

Additionally, industry-specific challenges, involving chip manufacturers like Nvidia and the hype surrounding AI, along with Japan’s rate hikes, have added complexities. Nevertheless, the year was replete with hurdles as investor appetite was continually undermined by a sequence of global events, challenging the once-reliable four-year cycle narrative.

The myriad disruptions caused by these external factors overshadowed attempts at recovery, leading to volatile charts and market paralysis. Concurrently, a surge in LAYER 2 technologies and meme coins flooded the market, diluting focus.

Yet, amidst the general underperformance, certain exceptions like HYPE and ASTER experienced upticks. The broader outlook, however, suggests that despite BTC and ETH nearing their ATHs, the market hasn’t felt bullish. Looking ahead, resolutions of concerns such as tariffs and the AI bubble in 2026 could mark a revival, potentially rewarding steadfast altcoin holders.