Ethereum has just recorded a historic milestone by surpassing its previous peak from 2021, establishing a new all-time high (ATH) and providing momentum for the entire cryptocurrency market. However, it is noteworthy that most other major altcoins remain “stuck” below their historical highs, creating a significant performance gap.
According to analysis from the options trading platform PowerTrade, the anticipated “altcoin season” is expected to peak by the end of 2025. This prediction is based on current options trading indicators and the investment behavior of both retail and institutional investors.
Investors Heavily Betting on SOL, XRP and TRUMP
Bernd Sischka, co-founder and trading director of PowerTrade, revealed an interesting piece of information: options traders are extremely optimistic about Solana (SOL), XRP, and particularly the TRUMP token.
He shared, “Trading volume on PowerTrade has exceeded 1 billion USD in August alone, with call options accounting for 68%—a clear signal of a bullish trend.”
Notably, Solana is attracting strong attention with a surge in demand for call options for September and December expirations, indicating expectations of significant price increases. XRP has also seen an unusual rise in call option purchases for December.
Widespread Cash Flow, Involving Both Retail and Institutional Investors
The current options market is not only focused on Ethereum and Bitcoin but is expanding to many other altcoins. The “favorites” list includes AEVO, AR, DOGE, ENA, HYPE, LINK, MOG, SOL, TIA, TRUMP, and ZRO.
An interesting trend is the clear divergence between investor groups. Memecoins like DOGE and PEPE remain the “focus” for retail investors, while the increase in open interest for tokens like WIF, LINK, and HYPE indicates that major institutions are quietly accumulating positions.
Related: Bitcoin Price Prediction for September 2025
Remarks and Evaluation
Ethereum reaching a new peak while other altcoins have not yet broken out creates a significant “valuation gap.” This could be seen as a positive signal for a potential “catch-up rally” of altcoins in the near future.
However, forecasts about the “altcoin season” at the end of 2025 should be approached cautiously. The crypto market is always volatile and unpredictable, and relying solely on options data may not fully reflect market realities.
It is noteworthy that the simultaneous participation of both retail investors (through memecoins) and institutions (through utility tokens) indicates that the market is maturing and diversifying. This could provide a solid foundation for a more sustainable growth cycle compared to previous “altcoin seasons”.
