Altcoin Season Anticipated as Bitcoin Dominance Declines, Analysts Eye Strategic Investments

Analysts are closely monitoring the cryptocurrency market, with June 2025 being highlighted as a potential starting point for the next significant altcoin season. This anticipation comes as Bitcoin's dominance begins to wane, creating an environment ripe for smart accumulation before the broader retail frenzy. Michael van de Poppe, a prominent analyst, suggests that the altcoin market is still in its nascent stages, with the Altcoin Season Index currently at 25, indicating that Bitcoin remains the dominant force. However, this phase is seen as an opportune moment for strategic investments.

In his latest podcast, van de Poppe shared his top five altcoin picks, which balance large-cap stability with high-upside small-cap potential. Chainlink (LINK) is at the top of his list, described as a foundational piece in the crypto ecosystem. As the leading oracle provider, LINK is essential for integrating real-world data with blockchain technology, particularly within Ethereum, institutional use cases, and decentralized finance (DeFi). Despite its critical role, LINK is still near its BTC pair lows, suggesting it is undervalued. As tokenization gains traction and institutional involvement deepens, Chainlink is poised for a significant value revival.

Aave (AAVE) is van de Poppe's second large-cap recommendation, viewed as a bridge between DeFi and traditional finance. Aave already supports decentralized lending and borrowing, with upcoming integrations with banks and yield-generating products enhancing its potential. Speculative connections with political interest in blockchain adoption add to Aave's intrigue, positioning it as a key player in the next financial cycle. Like LINK, AAVE has established a strong base and shows early signs of an uptrend, making it a relatively low-risk, steady-growth investment.

For small-cap exposure, van de Poppe highlights Wormhole (W), a vital cross-chain infrastructure layer facilitating asset movement for major players like BlackRock and Apollo. Wormhole is central to the tokenized real-world asset (RWA) narrative, with tokenized funds now launching through it, accelerating adoption. The weekly chart indicates bullish divergence, suggesting that accumulation has quietly begun. Van de Poppe sees Wormhole as one of the few small-caps with real utility and enterprise-grade backing.

Peaq (PEAQ) represents van de Poppe's bet on decentralized physical infrastructure, blending IoT, AI, and blockchain to build the foundation for machine-driven economies. With over 50 companies already onboard and growing activity, Peaq is gaining attention. Compared to early movers, van de Poppe believes Peaq could offer 10x potential for early investors.

Michael’s final pick, Alkimi (ADS), focuses on Web3 payments via an ad-based model. Despite macro pressures, ADS grew revenue from $1.2M to $5M and scaled to 10M daily transactions. With direct backing from Michael’s MN Capital Fund, ADS is well-positioned for long-term upside. He considers the recent price drop a buying opportunity, not a red flag.