The dark night will eventually end: Why now is a critical time to position for alts in 2026.

Most alts are nearing the end of their decline, so now is the best time to watch the market with a "ready to buy" mindset, rather than waiting to short after a rebound.
The darkest moments in the market are often the times when clear thinking is most needed.
When market confidence is low, we should pay more attention to the signals conveyed by data and structural changes. Based on a multi-faceted analysis, a consensus has formed: the current altcoin market has entered the final stages of decline, and the macroeconomic and regulatory environment in 2026 may usher in a healthier and more structured new cycle.
1. Bottom Signal: The market has entered the "buying the dip" observation period.
Multiple market analysts point in the same direction: bottom signals are emerging.
· Technical Signals: Analyst Michaël van de Poppe points out that the "large candle ( long shadow )" appearing on the price chart usually indicates the market bottom for alts, signaling a rapid rebound after a sharp decline. He repeatedly emphasizes that the current adjustment is the "last pullback before a big move," providing a favorable window for buying on dips.
· Downturn or nearing the end: Van de Poppe believes that the market adjustment starting in the second half of 2025 is nearing its end, and the overall bullish trend remains intact. Historically, similar severe adjustments often signal the arrival of explosive rebounds.
2. Mindset Shift: From "Waiting to Short on a Rebound" to "Preparing to Buy"
Why change strategies now? Because the fundamentals of the market are changing. The reckless "alts season" may become a thing of the past, but this precisely means that funds and opportunities will flow more into valuable projects.
The brutal decline in 2025 is essentially a complete redistribution of liquidity and a value sifting. Capital is being withdrawn from many small coins that lack fundamentals and is concentrating in two directions:
1. Core assets represented by Bitcoin and Ethereum have been recognized by institutional ETFs.
2. A few altcoins with actual use cases, strong fundamentals, or clear regulatory prospects.
Therefore, the purpose of paying attention to the market now should no longer be gambling on short-term rebounds, but rather adopting a mindset of 'finding survivors and future winners' and selectively positioning in deeply valued areas.
3. Outlook for 2026: Three Pillars for Building a "Better" Market
The judgment that "2026 will be better" is not blind optimism, but is based on ongoing structural improvements.
1. Regulatory Environment: From Confrontation to Clarity
In 2025, the United States' cryptocurrency policy underwent a historic shift. With the advancement of new legislation and changes in the leadership of regulatory bodies, the regulatory framework is transitioning from "enforcement-based regulation" to "legislative empowerment." A clearer compliance path will significantly reduce the uncertainty of institutional participation, bringing long-term liquidity to the market.
2. Market Structure: From Retail Speculation to Institutional Dominance
2025 is widely viewed as a turning point for the crypto market. Institutional funds have replaced retail investors as the marginal buyers. The continued inflow into U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs is a clear example of this. It suggests that market volatility may stabilize and become more closely tied to the macroeconomic cycle. Although volatility will not disappear, its logic will become easier to analyze.
3. Asset Classes: From Hollow Narratives to Tangible Assets
The crypto market is gradually "taking root." Physical assets represented by tokenized US Treasury bonds, such as (RWA), have nearly quadrupled by 2025, evolving from a concept into a real asset class. This injects stable value and income sources related to the traditional world into the crypto economy.
Summary: How to act?
According to the above judgment, the current strategy can focus on the following points:
· Change your mindset: Accept that the illusion of a widespread rise in "alts season" no longer exists; focus on research and value discovery.
· Focus on sectors: Pay special attention to segments that are still being built during the bear market, such as DeFi, RWA, and infrastructure that combines AI and crypto, which have practical use and revenue basis.
· Patient layout: Adopt a phased high-quality asset accumulation strategy during extreme pessimism and panic to prepare for the new cycle that may arrive in 2026.
The hardships of 2025 are the pains of the collapse of the old paradigm; the hope for 2026 is built on a more solid foundation. The toughest moments often give birth to the greatest opportunities.
Have you started picking assets for the next cycle? Which tracks with practical use do you believe in? Share your observations in the comments. (Rhino Crypto Community)
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