Altcoin Season 2025? Only Few Will Thrive, Says CryptoQuant CEO

CryptoQuant CEO Ki Young Ju is shaking up the idea of an “Altcoin Season” as we know it. If you’re expecting a repeat of past cycles – where almost every altcoin surges together – you might be in for a surprise. Ju believes 2025 will be different. This time, only a handful of altcoins will truly thrive, while many others could be left behind.

So, what makes the cut? According to Ju, it’s not just about hype anymore – real-world use cases, institutional interest, and long-term sustainability will separate the winners from the rest.

Let’s break down why this altcoin season is unlike any other.

ETF-Backed Altcoins Could Lead the Way

Ju highlights three key factors that will determine which altcoins succeed. First, altcoins linked to ETF narratives—such as XRP, Solana (SOL), Litecoin (LTC), Dogecoin (DOGE), and Hedera (HBAR)—could see major institutional inflows, similar to Bitcoin’s ETF-driven rally.

Bloomberg analysts James Seyffart and Eric Balchunas predict high approval odds for altcoin ETFs: 90% for Litecoin, 75% for Dogecoin, 70% for Solana, and 65% for XRP. Adding to the momentum, Franklin Templeton has filed for a spot Solana ETF, showing rising institutional interest. Meanwhile, Brazil is preparing to launch the world’s first spot XRP ETF, now listed as pre-operational.

Sustainability Matters

While ETF speculation may drive short-term gains, Ju believes long-term sustainability will be the real test. Meme coins often rise and crash quickly, but projects with active developers, strong communities, and investor confidence will stay relevant. Past cases like TRUMP and LIBRA serve as reminders of how quickly hype can fade.

Revenue-generating projects with solid business models will stand out. Tokens that rely only on speculation will struggle, while those with steady income streams and real-world use cases will have a better chance of surviving.

The Era of “Everything Pumping” is Over

Ju warns that broad altcoin rallies are a thing of the past. While Bitcoin is setting new highs, many altcoins are still far below their previous peaks. This suggests that only select tokens will benefit from this cycle, making it more important than ever for investors to choose wisely.

Recent data supports this view. Last week, Bitcoin saw large outflows of $571 million, while certain altcoins—like XRP—recorded inflows of $38.3 million. Ethereum and Solana have also shown strength, suggesting that investors are favoring established altcoins over riskier bets.

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Ju also points out liquidity challenges in the crypto market, describing it as a “PvP fight,” where money is shifting between assets rather than new capital flowing in. This shows how the market is maturing, with institutional players focusing on stability rather than the retail-driven altcoin booms of the past.

A New Era for Altcoins

This cycle marks a shift in how altcoins perform. Many tokens will struggle to gain investor confidence, while only strong, legitimate projects will thrive. Ju advises investors to be selective and focus on sustainable projects as the market evolves. 

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