Crypto Bull Run Stages Explained: How to Navigate Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Altseason Cycles

Crypto markets move in cycles. And if there’s one thing history has taught us, it’s that bull runs follow a predictable pattern—one that can help investors time their entries, exits, and portfolio rotations with far more precision.

This guide breaks down the crypto bull run stages, showing how each phase unfolds and what kind of assets dominate during each.

Phase I: Bitcoin Takes the Lead

Every major bull run starts the same way: Bitcoin rallies hard.

As the most recognized and trusted cryptocurrency, Bitcoin attracts the earliest capital during bullish phases. Whether it’s institutional money or retail FOMO, Bitcoin is where the cycle begins.

Why Bitcoin leads:

• High market dominance and liquidity
• Widespread media coverage
• Seen as a “safe” crypto asset by new entrants

A strong BTC rally is often the first market-wide signal that a bull market is underway.

Phase II: Ethereum and Top Coins Follow

Once Bitcoin makes headlines, capital starts rotating into Ethereum and top 10 altcoins.

Investors look for better upside after BTC’s initial pump—and Ethereum, with its large ecosystem and DeFi/NFT exposure, becomes the natural second choice.

This phase is where coins like $ETH, $SOL, $ADA, and $BNB often reach new highs.

Why Ethereum is next:

• Largest altcoin by market cap
• Offers smart contracts and ecosystem depth
• Viewed as the “next best” after Bitcoin

This is also the phase where the broader market gains confidence—and liquidity spreads.

Phase III: The Altseason Surge Begins

With Bitcoin and Ethereum rallying, curiosity flows downstream.

This sparks altseason—a period when lower-cap coins begin surging massively as investors chase outsized returns. Everything from mid-cap layer-1s to micro-cap meme tokens begins gaining traction.

Signs altseason has begun:

• High media hype around lesser-known altcoins
• Huge gains on low-volume tokens
• Fear of missing out (FOMO) peaking across the board

The altcoin phase tends to bring the highest gains and the highest risk.

The Full Crypto Bull Run Cycle (Summarized)

Let’s simplify the cycle into clear stages:

• Stage I: Bitcoin rallies, capturing global attention
• Stage II: Ethereum and large-cap altcoins follow
• Stage III: Capital rotates to small-cap altcoins
• Stage IV: Altseason reaches peak hype

How to Rotate Capital in a Bull Run

To maximize profits, it’s important to move with the market rather than against it.

Smart strategies:

• Shift profits from Bitcoin to Ethereum once BTC slows down
• Rotate from ETH and top coins into smaller-cap altcoins as they gain momentum
• Avoid going all-in; treat each rotation as a percentage-based transition

This rotation strategy allows you to capture gains across phases rather than chasing pumps too late.

The Final Stage: Altseason’s Peak

The final phase of the bull run is often the most exciting—and the most dangerous.

Altcoins see astronomical price spikes, driven by:

• Peak social media hype
• Surge in new retail investors
• Speculation overpowering fundamentals

While tempting to hold for more, this is often the best time to take profits. What goes up fast… comes down even faster.

Using a DCA-Out Strategy

One of the most effective exit strategies is Dollar-Cost Averaging (DCA) out.

Why it works:

• Lets you lock in profits gradually
• Reduces risk of exiting too early or too late
• Preserves gains in stablecoins or fiat

You don’t need to sell the top—you just need to not ride the top all the way down.

Final Thoughts: How to Win the Bull Market Game

Understanding the crypto bull run stages is like having a map through a chaotic battlefield.

Each phase brings unique opportunities:

• Bitcoin builds trust
• Ethereum unlocks momentum
• Altcoins deliver exponential returns

But the key is timing, discipline, and knowing when to rotate and secure profits.

Don’t let FOMO be your guide—let the cycle be.