- Michaël van de Poppe emphasizes that altcoins are gearing to expand, and institutional integration and macroeconomic dynamics will determine the subsequent bullish phase.
- The conventional four-year cycle of Bitcoin is no longer the determinant of market action, with consolidations and corrections suggesting structural power, rather than fatigue.
- Extended stagnation periods have positioned altcoins for explosive upward momentum, emphasizing portfolio management and strategic risk positioning over timing market peaks.
Crypto isn’t peaking yet, according to analyst Michaël van de Poppe, who argues that altcoins are preparing for renewed strength after months of stagnation. His analysis suggests structural market shifts are setting the stage for the next explosive run.
Breaking Away from the Four-Year Cycle
Van de Poppe challenges the widely held belief that crypto strictly follows a four-year cycle. He emphasizes that this cycle, often tied to Bitcoin halvings, no longer defines the market’s rhythm.
He points to the growing role of institutional adoption as a major factor in reducing volatility. Large inflows from Web2 entities have created long periods of sideways trading, followed by sharp upward moves.
According to van de Poppe, those still trying to time peaks with historical models risk missing opportunities. The market is operating under a different framework, shaped more by macroeconomic conditions than previous halving-driven surges.
Macroeconomic Drivers Over Halving Events
In his tweet, van de Poppe explained that the crypto market is now aligned more closely with the global business cycle. Elements such as liquidity conditions and institutional participation carry greater weight than halving events.
Bitcoin and Ethereum have reflected this trend, as neither has drawn broad retail participation recently. Instead, both assets have seen extended consolidation phases, a sign of structural maturity in the market.
He views these quiet stretches not as weakness but as preparation. Just as in earlier cycles, corrections and stagnation phases tend to precede powerful breakouts, often surprising traders who anticipated exhaustion.
Altcoins Positioned for the Next Run
Altcoins, in van de Poppe’s analysis, are especially primed for growth. He notes that the most recent phase of high-altcoin performance was in late 2023, after which there were steep drops in 2024.
He attributes these downturns to have been caused mostly by unfavourable macroeconomic factors that burdened high-risk assets. As global conditions shift, the stage is being set for a reversal in altcoin performance.
He adds that each market cycle has historically lasted longer than the last. With this pattern, he believes altcoins are at the end of a bear phase and positioned for the next explosive run.
Long-Term Strategy Beyond Market Timing
Drawing from past market behavior, van de Poppe recalls Bitcoin’s corrections in 2017 when prices dropped sharply but quickly rebounded into new highs. Those who mistook corrections for peaks missed the larger rally.
He suggests the present cycle mirrors those conditions. Traders questioning whether crypto is peaking may instead be witnessing the groundwork for another surge.
