Popular cryptocurrency analyst Michael van de Poppe believes the prolonged altcoin bear cycle is finally approaching its conclusion, reinforcing a narrative that has been gaining traction in recent market data. In a recent YouTube video, Poppe disclosed that approximately 98% of his portfolio is currently allocated to altcoins, though he emphasized he does not intend to hold them indefinitely. His strategy revolves around active rotation, taking profits during rallies, and gradually increasing his exposure to Bitcoin, Ethereum, and cash to manage risk.
The analyst singled out several altcoins he finds particularly compelling. He revealed a recent $3,000 investment in Avalanche (AVAX), citing the project's growing involvement in real-world asset (RWA) activity as a key driver of its attractive valuation. Poppe plans to add another $7,000 to $10,000 if AVAX reclaims the $7 level and forms an upward divergence. NEAR Protocol (NEAR) also features in his holdings; after purchasing near $1.20 and selling a portion when it climbed to $3.50, he intends to be more active in accumulating on future corrections. Additionally, Wormhole makes up roughly 17% of his portfolio, while EigenLayer accounts for about 11%, with Poppe considering more active trading of the latter. He also highlighted Aave (AAVE), noting that the token has broken above its 21-day and 50-day moving averages for the first time in approximately a year — a signal, in his view, that it may be entering a new bull phase. Poppe stressed that these are personal market expectations and not investment advice.
The analyst's optimism aligns with broader technical developments. The TOTAL3/BTC ratio, which tracks the performance of altcoins (excluding Bitcoin and Ethereum) against Bitcoin, has broken a multi-year descending trendline that had been in place since 2022 and is now holding above former resistance. This breakout is often interpreted as an early sign of capital rotation, where funds flow from Bitcoin into the wider altcoin market. Recent data also shows elevated open interest in altcoin futures, even after Bitcoin's corrections, indicating sustained trader participation. Market cycle analysis suggests that Bitcoin typically leads recoveries, followed by Ethereum and then a broader altcoin expansion — a sequence many believe is now unfolding. While past performance offers no guarantee, the combination of technical breakouts, elevated derivatives activity, and vocal analyst conviction is fueling growing anticipation of an altcoin season.
