Solana News Today: Altcoin Searches Hit 2021 Highs as ETFs and Treasuries Drive Renewed Interest

Google searches for the term “altcoin” have surged to levels not seen since 2021, according to Google Trends data, signaling a renewed wave of retail interest in alternative cryptocurrencies amid heightened activity in the ETF and digital treasury sectors [1]. The term has reached its highest relative search volume since the early days of Ethereum’s development and the decentralized finance (DeFi) and NFT boom of 2021. This pattern mirrors previous market cycles, such as the 2018 altcoin surge that followed Bitcoin’s late-2017 peak [1].

Interest in Ethereum (ETH) specifically is at a two-year high, with the token’s price rising 30% over the past week and 78% year-to-date. At $4,722, it is now close to its all-time high of $4,878.26, recorded in 2021 [1]. Other major altcoins have also seen notable gains, including XRP (+10%), Solana (SOL, +19.3%), SUI (+15%), and Chainlink (LINK, +43%) [1].

The growing institutional appetite for altcoins is evident in the increasing number of ETF applications. In the first half of 2025 alone, US regulators received at least 31 altcoin ETF proposals, including a spot SUI ETF from Canary Capital [1]. Cboe BZX and Nasdaq have already submitted filings to potentially list these funds. Analysts from Bloomberg Intelligence, including Eric Balchunas and James Seyffart, have assigned approval odds of over 90% to several altcoin ETFs, including those for Solana, XRP, and Litecoin [1].

The trend is also reflected in corporate treasury strategies, as more firms diversify their reserves beyond Bitcoin. Companies like Metaplanet, BitMine, and SharpLink Gaming are holding large amounts of Ether and staking it for yield. Similarly, DeFi Development Corp. has staked nearly one million Solana tokens, worth $200 million at current prices, while Upexi has increased its Solana holdings to two million tokens, most of which are also staked [1].

Alongside ETF momentum and treasury shifts, retail speculation is driving further demand. Google’s search data highlights a surge in queries, which typically correlates with increased retail participation and market volatility. While the data itself does not predict price movement, it does reflect heightened curiosity and engagement with altcoins [1]. This period of activity is being seen as a potential precursor to a new “altcoin season,” similar to past cycles driven by DeFi and NFTs [1].

The renewed focus on altcoins is further supported by speculative optimism surrounding ETF approvals. According to Polymarket data, Cardano has an 80% chance of securing a US-approved ETF in 2025, which could attract new capital from both institutional and retail investors [6]. Meanwhile, long-term Cardano holders continue to accumulate the asset without significant selling pressure, despite a 150% year-on-year gain [6]. This behavior contrasts with past cycles and suggests strong conviction in the project’s long-term viability.

As Ethereum continues to rally and altcoin narratives gain traction, the market is showing signs of a broader shift. With ETFs expanding the altcoin landscape and treasuries diversifying their holdings, the stage appears set for a new chapter in the crypto market cycle.

Source:

[1] Altcoin Google searches hit highest since 2021 amid ETF, treasury moves (https://cointelegraph.com/news/altcoin-google-searches-highest-since-2021-etf-treasury)

[6] Long-term Cardano holders are not taking profit despite booming market, ETF speculation (https://cryptoslate.com/long-term-cardano-holders-are-not-taking-profit-despite-booming-market-etf-speculation/)