Widespread fear has overtaken the altcoin market, driving investor sentiment to its lowest point since April. With nearly 90% of altcoins below their long-term trends, experts suggest this could be a prime moment for accumulation.
Although market uncertainty is high, data reveals parallels to periods when similar conditions led to altcoin rebounds. Contrarian investors are considering whether these fear-driven lows might offer rare opportunities.
Market Capitulation or Opportunity? Analyst Says It’s Time to Buy Altcoins
Altcoin sentiment is near its lowest level, with just 10% of Binance-listed altcoins trading above their 200-day moving average. This pattern, seen as a classic indicator of market capitulation, happens when most investors exit positions or lose confidence.
Currently, 90% of the altcoin market trades below this key trend, reflecting widespread disinterest among traders and investors.
Altcoin Performance. Source: X/Darkfost
Crypto analyst Darkfost noted that similar setups have occurred three times during the current market cycle, each followed by a significant short-term recovery in altcoin prices. These zones of ‘selling exhaustion,’ he argues, tend to offer some of the most favorable entry points for investors who are willing to wait.
“The best time to gain exposure to altcoins is often when no one wants them anymore. It’s precisely during these periods of disinterest that the market tends to offer the best medium-term opportunities,” the analyst wrote
While the current setup may present opportunities, the expert cautioned that selectivity remains critical. Investors should focus on projects that have retained liquidity and on-chain activity despite the broader downturn.
“But it’s best not to wait too long, as this type of setup tends to normalize quickly once the market realizes it’s gone too far in fear,” he added.
Bitcoin Dominance Drops to 59% After ‘Crypto Black Friday’
Meanwhile, crypto market cycles often see Bitcoin absorb capital during uncertainty. However, recent data has highlighted a swift reversal.
Bitcoin dominance—the share of the crypto market held by Bitcoin—has declined sharply after ‘Crypto Black Friday.’ At press time, it stood at 59.07%.
Bitcoin Dominance Chart. Source: TradingView
Market analyst Crypto Rover pointed out a head-and-shoulders (H&S) pattern forming on Bitcoin Dominance’s daily chart. This is a bearish reversal formation that often signals the end of an uptrend. If confirmed, this pattern suggests that Bitcoin’s market share could continue to decline in the near term.
Such a drop typically reflects capital rotation into altcoins, as investors seek higher returns in smaller-cap assets. Historically, similar setups have preceded the onset of ‘altcoin seasons’—periods when alternative cryptocurrencies outperform Bitcoin.
Sentiment Plunges to Extreme Lows—A Contrarian Signal?
In addition to technical signs and market flow, the crypto Fear & Greed Index—a leading sentiment gauge—has plunged to its lowest reading since April. Participants are still cautious after recent sell-offs, and indecision is widespread.
CryptoQuant’s Fear & Greed Index. Source: X/JA_Maartun
However, Darkfost sees moments of extreme fear as signals that a market bottom could be near.
“Each time, the market bottom coincided with this extreme fear zone, a reminder that when consensus turns one-sided, markets tend to move in the opposite direction. Today, we’re entering that zone again… act accordingly,” he posted.
Thus, the current market conditions point to a potential turning point for altcoins. Key signals like the Bitcoin dominance slipping, sentiment sinking into extreme fear, and historical patterns aligning support this outlook. While risks remain, the data indicates that the crypto market could be nearing the end of its latest fear-driven cycle.
