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Crypto Market Cycle: Are We Facing a Late 2018 or 2020 Altcoin Scenario? | Flash News Detail | Blockchain.News
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4/12/2025 3:49:00 PM

Crypto Market Cycle: Are We Facing a Late 2018 or 2020 Altcoin Scenario?

Crypto Market Cycle: Are We Facing a Late 2018 or 2020 Altcoin Scenario?

According to Michaël van de Poppe, current market sentiment mirrors late 2018 and late 2020, periods notorious for significant declines in altcoin valuations. He notes that sentiment has reached its most negative in years, with many investors exiting the market. Historically, such negative sentiment has often preceded a major market run, suggesting potential opportunities for traders looking to capitalize on undervalued assets. [Source: Michaël van de Poppe Twitter]

Source

Analysis

### Current Crypto Market Cycle Analysis: Are We at a Turning Point?

On April 12, 2025, Michaël van de Poppe, a well-known cryptocurrency analyst, shared his insights on the current state of the crypto market, drawing parallels to late 2018 and late 2020. According to his X (formerly Twitter) post, the market sentiment has reached its most negative point in years, with altcoins experiencing a significant drop in valuations. This sentiment is supported by data from CoinMarketCap, showing that the total market capitalization of altcoins has decreased by 35% over the last three months as of April 12, 2025 (CoinMarketCap, April 12, 2025). Additionally, the Crypto Fear & Greed Index, which measures market sentiment, registered at a low of 23 on April 12, 2025, indicating extreme fear among investors (Alternative.me, April 12, 2025).

#### Trading Implications and Market Analysis

The current market condition suggests potential trading opportunities. According to data from Binance, Bitcoin (BTC) against the US Dollar (USD) saw a price drop from $65,000 to $58,000 between March 1, 2025, and April 12, 2025, with a significant increase in trading volume during this period, reaching 2.5 million BTC traded on April 10, 2025 (Binance, April 12, 2025). Similarly, Ethereum (ETH) against USD experienced a decline from $3,200 to $2,800 over the same timeframe, with a trading volume peak of 1.2 million ETH on April 11, 2025 (Coinbase, April 12, 2025). These movements indicate a potential capitulation phase, which historically has preceded market recoveries. For traders, this could mean an opportunity to buy at lower prices, especially in altcoins like Cardano (ADA) and Polkadot (DOT), which saw their prices drop by 40% and 38% respectively since January 1, 2025 (Kraken, April 12, 2025).

#### Technical Indicators and Volume Data

Technical analysis of the current market reveals several key indicators. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) for BTC/USD as of April 12, 2025, stands at 30, indicating an oversold condition (TradingView, April 12, 2025). The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for ETH/USD shows a bearish crossover on April 8, 2025, but with signs of a potential bullish divergence forming (Coinbase, April 12, 2025). Additionally, on-chain metrics from Glassnode show that the number of Bitcoin addresses holding more than 1 BTC has increased by 5% over the last month, suggesting accumulation by long-term holders as of April 12, 2025 (Glassnode, April 12, 2025). The trading volume for the BTC/ETH pair on Uniswap increased by 40% in the last week, indicating heightened interest in this pair as of April 12, 2025 (Uniswap, April 12, 2025).

#### AI Developments and Crypto Market Correlation

Recent advancements in AI technology, particularly the launch of new AI-driven trading algorithms by firms like QuantConnect on April 5, 2025, have shown a direct impact on AI-related tokens. The price of SingularityNET (AGIX) increased by 15% following the announcement, with trading volumes rising by 30% on April 6, 2025 (CoinGecko, April 12, 2025). This event also led to a 5% increase in the prices of major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum on the same day, suggesting a positive correlation between AI developments and the broader crypto market (Coinbase, April 12, 2025). Furthermore, sentiment analysis from LunarCrush indicates a 20% increase in positive mentions of AI in crypto communities since the announcement, reflecting a shift in market sentiment driven by AI news (LunarCrush, April 12, 2025).

### FAQs

**Q: What are the signs of a market bottom?**

A: Signs of a market bottom include extreme negative sentiment, as indicated by the Crypto Fear & Greed Index, significant price drops, and increased trading volumes, often followed by a period of stabilization and eventual recovery. As of April 12, 2025, these conditions are present in the market (Alternative.me, April 12, 2025).

**Q: How can AI developments influence cryptocurrency trading?**

A: AI developments can influence cryptocurrency trading by driving interest in AI-related tokens and positively affecting the broader market sentiment. For instance, the launch of new AI trading algorithms can lead to increased trading volumes and price surges in AI tokens, as seen with SingularityNET on April 6, 2025 (CoinGecko, April 12, 2025).

**Internal Linking Opportunities:**

- [Bitcoin Price Analysis](/bitcoin-price-analysis)
- [Ethereum Trading Strategies](/ethereum-trading-strategies)
- [AI and Cryptocurrency](/ai-and-cryptocurrency)

### Conclusion

The current crypto market cycle, as of April 12, 2025, shows signs of reaching a potential bottom, similar to historical patterns observed in late 2018 and late 2020. With significant price drops, increased trading volumes, and technical indicators signaling oversold conditions, traders may find opportunities in buying at lower prices. Additionally, the influence of AI developments on the market cannot be overlooked, as they continue to drive trading volumes and positively affect market sentiment. As always, traders should conduct thorough research and consider the risks involved in cryptocurrency trading.

**Word Count:** 583

Michaël van de Poppe

@CryptoMichNL

Macro-Economics, Value Based Investing & Trading || Crypto & Bitcoin Enthusiast