Why Altcoin Seasons May Be a Relic of Crypto’s Past

The era of altcoin seasons may be fading into history, according to analysts. Unlike memecoins—which Blockworks Research believes have entrenched themselves permanently in crypto markets—traditional altcoin rallies face structural headwinds. David Zimmerman of K33 Research suggests the 2020/2021 cycle likely marked the peak for speculative tokens lacking fundamentals.

Memecoins now command staggering market attention, representing 25% of total crypto volumes during Q1’s peak. This shift reflects a broader maturation of crypto markets, where narrative-driven altcoins struggle to compete with the viral appeal of meme assets. The math grows increasingly difficult for projects without revenue streams, working products, or credible roadmaps as retail inflows diminish.