Why THIS altcoin pain could be the setup for a 2026 breakout

ambcryptoPublished on 2025-12-14Last updated on 2025-12-14

Abstract

Altcoins, particularly within the Solana ecosystem and memecoins, are experiencing significant weakness and showing signs of capitulation against Bitcoin. While Bitcoin continues to dominate, speculative tokens are under stress, and capital is shifting toward altcoins with clearer use cases, such as payment-focused tokens. A head-and-shoulders pattern on the Bitcoin dominance chart suggests a potential trend change. If dominance breaks below the neckline, capital could quickly rotate into altcoins, leading to sudden rallies, especially in the hardest-hit sectors. Long-term, altcoins are near base zones similar to those before the 2017 and 2021 bull runs. Momentum indicators like RSI and MACD are at levels that historically preceded major expansions. The key catalyst may be liquidity: past cycles show altcoins rally when central banks stop draining and start adding liquidity. With T-bill purchases resuming and small-cap stocks leading, the pattern suggests a larger altcoin breakout could be set for 2026.

Altcoins are having a rough time, and the pain is most visible in the Solana ecosystem. Bitcoin continues to dominate, while many smaller tokens are stuck in a slump.

However, rotation may be around the corner.

Is this pressure just the cost of waiting for what comes next?

Altcoins are feeling the pain

Source: Alphractal

Data shared by Alphractal showed Solana [SOL] ecosystem tokens and memecoins falling against Bitcoin. Looked like capitulation-level stress.

Source: Alphractal

These are the parts of the market that thrived on hype, and they’re now giving most of it back.

Source: Alphractal

In contrast, payment-focused altcoins were holding up better.

They didn’t rally, but their declines were shallower and more stable compared to speculative coins. Capital has been going to tokens with clearer use cases.

Alts move fast

After weeks of stress, the focus shifted to Bitcoin [BTC] dominance. The BTC.D chart showed a clear head-and-shoulders pattern forming, and that is a structure that often means a change in trend.

Source: X

The key level to watch would be the neckline. When dominance breaks below it, capital has so far rotated quickly out of Bitcoin and into altcoins.

This happens quickly. Once dominance turns, altcoin rallies tend to be sudden, and are led by sectors that were previously hit the hardest.

But when you zoom out…

OTHERS’ dominance showed altcoins near the same base zones seen before the 2017 and 2021 rallies. Momentum indicators like RSI and MACD were also at levels that previously appeared before long expansions.

The bigger link is liquidity.

Source: X

In past cycles, altcoins only turned once central banks stopped draining liquidity and began adding liquidity. That may be starting again.

T-bill purchases have resumed, small-cap stocks are leading, and markets are pricing in more support ahead. If the pattern repeats, the real altcoin moves may be delayed (but much larger) into 2026!

Final Thoughts

  • Altcoins, especially Solana memecoins, are showing capitulation-level weakness.
  • They may be near a long-term base, with a larger rotation potentially setting up into 2026.
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