CZ Highlights Rise in Altcoin Season Index on CoinMarketCap

Changpeng Zhao, better known as CZ and the founder of Binance, has highlighted a rise in CoinMarketCap’s Altcoin Season Index. In a post on X, he noted, “Not sure how accurate it is, but it is ticking up.” He ended the post with a wink at the crypto crowd: “FOMO season soon…”

The CoinMarketCap Altcoin Season Index just ticked up to 54 out of 100, its highest level in weeks. That jump hints at something bigger: altcoins are beginning to outpace Bitcoin, at least for now. It could be the first sign that the market’s momentum is starting to shift.

What the Index Means

The Altcoin Season Index tracks whether altcoins are gaining ground over Bitcoin. The methodology is simple: if 75 of the top 100 altcoins outperform Bitcoin over the last 90 days, it’s officially “Altcoin Season.”

Right now, the index is above 50, signaling a leaning toward altcoins. Just last week, it stood at 38. A month ago, the market was deep in “Bitcoin Season,” with the index as low as 16. Clearly, sentiment has changed.

CoinMarketCap also tracks historical peaks. The index hit a yearly high of 87 in December 2024 and a low of 12 in April 2025. This recent rise could be the start of a broader rotation into altcoins.

Why It Matters for Traders

Altcoin Season typically brings rapid price appreciation for tokens outside of Bitcoin. In previous cycles, major altcoins have delivered returns that far exceed BTC. From February to May 2021, large-cap altcoins saw returns of 174%, while Bitcoin lagged with just 2%.

During these periods, Ethereum, Solana, Cardano, and newer narrative driven tokens often lead the charge. The CMC index includes Ethereum as part of the altcoin mix. Though it excludes stablecoins and asset-backed tokens like WBTC.

If the trend continues, traders could see increased altcoin volume and spikes in social sentiment. A rise in this index has often coincided with renewed retail interest and higher volatility.

Altcoin Eyes Now Open

While CZ added a light disclaimer to his post, the message was clear: the market may be on the verge of shifting. For traders and investors tracking market cycles, the CMC Altcoin Season Index is becoming a critical sentiment tool.

With the index moving past 50, altcoins are once again in the spotlight, and the crowd might just be getting ready to chase.