The cryptocurrency market may be entering the final stretch of its prolonged correction phase, according to renowned crypto strategist Michaël van de Poppe. With growing optimism among traders, many are now turning their attention to September — historically one of the most bullish months in the crypto calendar. Van de Poppe, who commands a following of over 722,800 on X (formerly Twitter), believes that both Bitcoin and altcoins are poised for a significant shift in momentum in the coming weeks.
The Turning Point: September’s Seasonal Strength
Market cycles often follow seasonal trends, and Van de Poppe highlights September as a pivotal month for digital assets. Historically, this period has marked the beginning of strong upward movements across the crypto landscape.
“The final weeks of pain are happening on the markets. From September onwards, it’s again the best period of the cycle for Bitcoin and crypto. BTC valuations are slowly grinding upwards already.”
This gradual upward pressure on Bitcoin suggests that institutional and retail interest is quietly building, even amid apparent market stagnation. As Bitcoin stabilizes, it creates fertile ground for altcoins to regain investor confidence and begin outperforming.
👉 Discover how market cycles influence crypto trends and what it means for your strategy
Altcoins Show Early Signs of Life
While Bitcoin often leads the market, the real explosive gains typically come from altcoins during bull phases. Van de Poppe points to a key indicator: the TOTAL3/BTC chart.
TOTAL3 represents the total market capitalization of all cryptocurrencies excluding Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins — making it a pure gauge of altcoin strength. When analyzed against Bitcoin, it reveals whether altcoins are gaining traction relative to the dominant cryptocurrency.
Van de Poppe shared a chart showing that TOTAL3/BTC is displaying a massive bullish divergence — a technical pattern where price action moves sideways or downward while momentum indicators rise. This disconnect often precedes strong reversals.
“The only chart to watch. TOTAL3/BTC looks absolutely great, with a massive bullish divergence. This indicates that altcoins are on edge for a big breakout.”
Bullish divergences like this suggest that selling pressure is waning and buyers are beginning to accumulate — even if prices haven’t reflected it yet. Once the breakout occurs, it could trigger a wave of capital rotation from Bitcoin into high-potential altcoins.
Why DeFi Could Lead the Next Surge
Among various altcoin sectors, decentralized finance (DeFi) stands out as a prime candidate for leadership in the next upswing. Van de Poppe specifically calls out DeFi’s strong fundamentals and growing adoption metrics.
One key metric he emphasizes is Total Value Locked (TVL) — the amount of capital deposited into DeFi protocols. When TVL rises in tandem with Ethereum’s market cap, it signals increasing trust and utility in the ecosystem.
“I think DeFi is going to be one of the strongest performers in the remainder of 2024. TVL ratios are high on ETH, especially when you combine this with market capitalization.”
Aave (AAVE), a leading lending protocol, has shown particular strength in recent weeks. Van de Poppe notes that AAVE could be gearing up for a breakout if it clears the $135 resistance level — a move that could attract significant momentum trading.
Other DeFi tokens with strong on-chain activity and developer engagement may also benefit from renewed sector interest. As decentralized exchanges, yield platforms, and lending protocols continue to innovate, they remain at the forefront of blockchain utility.
👉 Explore emerging DeFi opportunities before the next market surge
Core Keywords Driving Market Sentiment
To better understand where the market is headed, it's essential to track core themes shaping investor behavior:
- Bitcoin breakout
- Altcoin season
- Crypto market cycle
- Bullish divergence
- DeFi growth
- TOTAL3/BTC ratio
- September crypto rally
- Market correction end
These keywords reflect not just technical patterns but also broader shifts in sentiment and capital flow. Search trends show increasing interest in “altcoin season 2025” and “when will crypto rebound,” indicating that investors are actively seeking entry points.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Van de Poppe expect the crypto market to recover?
Van de Poppe suggests that the recovery could begin as early as September 2025, citing historical trends and current technical setups. He believes the worst of the correction is behind us, with Bitcoin laying the foundation for broader market gains.
What is TOTAL3/BTC and why is it important?
TOTAL3/BTC measures the performance of altcoins (excluding Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins) relative to Bitcoin. A rising ratio indicates that altcoins are strengthening — often a precursor to an altcoin season.
How reliable is a bullish divergence?
A bullish divergence occurs when price makes lower lows but momentum indicators make higher lows. While not foolproof, it's a widely respected signal among technical analysts and often precedes major reversals — especially when confirmed by volume and broader market conditions.
Can DeFi really outperform other sectors?
Yes. DeFi has consistently demonstrated resilience and innovation. With rising TVL, improved user interfaces, and expanding use cases (such as restaking and liquidity layer solutions), DeFi remains one of the most fundamentally sound sectors in crypto.
Should I invest based on seasonal trends?
Seasonality can provide useful context, but it shouldn't be the sole basis for investment decisions. Always combine macro-level insights like seasonal patterns with technical analysis, risk management, and personal financial goals.
What triggers an altcoin season?
An altcoin season typically follows a period of Bitcoin dominance stabilization. Once BTC has established a solid base or completed its major move, capital tends to rotate into smaller-cap projects offering higher growth potential.
👉 Learn how to identify early signs of an altcoin season
Final Thoughts: Preparing for the Next Phase
As Van de Poppe’s analysis suggests, the crypto market may be on the cusp of transformation. The combination of seasonal tailwinds, improving technical structures, and strong fundamentals in sectors like DeFi paints an optimistic picture for the remainder of 2025.
While short-term volatility remains inevitable, long-term investors would do well to monitor key indicators like TOTAL3/BTC and DeFi TVL ratios. These metrics offer valuable insights into capital flows and market psychology — helping traders stay ahead of major shifts.
Rather than reacting to fear or hype, now is the time to refine strategies, rebalance portfolios, and prepare for what could be one of the most dynamic phases in the current market cycle.
Remember: every major bull run begins with a period of doubt — and we may just be emerging from it.