Crypto had a few glory years where the prices of a lot of coins roughly climbed and rewarded ambitious traders. Those were the times when pretty much every internet user with a bit of entrepreneurial flair wanted to, or actually managed to, start engaging with crypto. And we talk about massive bull runs like the one in 2017 when Bitcoin skyrocketed from a humble $1K per coin to an astronomical $19.18K by the end of December. Who wouldn’t give in to the promise of quick fortunes?
Bitcoin has again rocked the stage, establishing a new ATH and prompting a wave of new interest. The latest achievements and the market bullishness are likely why you’re here, too. With crypto moving so fast, it’s time to become familiar with crypto again if you’ve taken a long break and today’s streak of all-time highs tempts you. Clearly, you’ll need to conduct more research than one or two blogs and vlogs, keeping an eye on Bitcoin’s moves and checking XRP news today to keep a finger on the market’s pulse. But this research should be based on a solid foundation.
Altcoin seasons usually follow Bitcoin rallies
Altcoin seasons represent the periods when altcoins outperform Bitcoin, and this generally occurs at around 18 months after Bitcoin’s latest halving (when mining rewards get cut in half). This happens because investors are more likely to sell specific percentages of Bitcoin and redistribute the proceeds into crypto assets that have more room for growth. Investors also become more comfortable with investing in riskier assets, like altcoins.
Bitcoin has recently hit a new all-time high, surpassing the remarkable benchmark of $126K, but has started to falter immediately after. This limpness is reminiscent of the times when Bitcoin steps back and altcoins enter the spotlight, meaning that an altcoin season should be on the horizon, if we use history as a guiding tool. Nevertheless, Ethereum isn’t putting on any wowing performance that would – at least at press time – suggest a massive bull run in the near future. If you want to start investing again, do it with a short-term horizon in mind and invest only what you’re comfortable with losing – not your everyday money, not your bill money, and definitely not borrowed money.
A current market snapshot
Many things have changed in the past few months, so getting an accurate image of where things stand now is the first step in starting to readapt. Currently, the crypto market is experiencing a combination of volatility and new highs that makes cryptocurrencies appealing again for traders looking to return, as well as beginners who are just starting to build their knowledge. BTC has just reached a new peak in October, driven by factors like the following that make very important puzzle pieces:
- The approval and launch of U.S.-based BTC spot ETFs boosted confidence in crypto, leading people to believe that if BlackRock entered the crypto market, then BTC might actually be a safe investment. Investors can also invest in Bitcoin more easily with ETFs, which track the specific crypto’s price and offer customers exposure to its fluctuations. This has opened the way for more crypto-based spot ETFs, such as the recently launched Ethereum spot ETFs.
- The weakening dollar, high government debt, concerns over inflation, and, more recently, the U.S. government shutdown, prompted interest in riskier assets, where BTC feels like a better hedge compared to many other investment vehicles. Bitcoin celebrated the shutdown in big style, marking the new and latest ATH exactly on that day.
- Record inflows into Bitcoin ETFs and strong activity in derivatives markets have contributed, too, to the recent price increase. These factors indicate growing investor confidence and participation in the Bitcoin market, which, in turn, triggers a ripple effect.
On the other hand, there have been numerous recent liquidations and pullbacks, illustrating the volatility of the crypto market. This instability serves as a reminder to everyone of the importance of trading cautiously and not chasing the impossible.
A look at ETH, XRP, and DOGE
Ethereum didn’t go out of its way to blow everyone away. Instead, it continued to move modestly, registering more discreet games, and leaving more room for contenders XRP and DOGE to shine. XRP takes center stage due to the growing likelihood of receiving ETF approval from the SEC, with institutional interest and growing enthusiasm fueling optimism.
Dogecoin launched its first ETF in September 2025, drawing attention from both institutional and retail spaces despite the recent price fluctuations.
For anyone who now returns to crypto, it’s essential to remain informed on the market moves, monitoring Bitcoin’s performance and keeping an eye on the emerging developments and political and financial decisions of lawmakers.
Short-term trading is still advised
Those who got into crypto rapidly discovered that short-term trading, also known as crypto scalping, is the most convenient solution for learning to trade, making a quick buck, and reducing risks. With scalping, you basically monitor the price fluctuations of your crypto assets, do the math, and withdraw money or direct proceeds into other coins when you make a profit.
Long-term trading, on the other hand, requires more market experience, which involves utilizing more technical indicators and tools, as well as more complex charts, among other factors. If you’re sitting well and want to invest a specific amount in a good hedge against inflation, then forget about it and unearth it when the time comes, the biggest of the cryptos are the best go-tos: BTC, ETH, and XRP top the list of cryptos by market capitalization.
The market offers more than BTC and ETH.
The crypto market of these days is both thrilling and unpredictable – and more importantly, bullish. You have many, smaller-cap cryptos to invest in, with the hottest ones right now including Pengu, Kaspa, Pepe, Hedera, and Arbitrum. At the same time, continue to monitor the market’s leaders, the cryptos with the largest market cap. Stay aware, trade responsibly, and let your decisions be guided by knowledge, patience, and careful observation rather than all the impulse and hype that may flood your social media platforms.
