- Analyst expects established protocols like AAVE, LINK and NEAR to outperform newer altcoins in this cycle.
- TOTAL excluding the top 10 reached about $247.8 billion after rising from roughly $198 billion in early September.
- The smaller-cap market faces 250-255 billion resistance, while $240 billion remains the first key support level.
Analyst Michael van de Poppe expects this crypto cycle to favor established altcoin protocols over new projects. He said the weak altcoin performance during the 2024 bull run could make this cycle different. He pointed to AAVE, LINK, and NEAR as examples of older protocols whose teams continue improving their products toward product-market fit.
Van de Poppe Favors Established Protocols
Van de Poppe said previous cycles often rewarded investors who moved into newer altcoins. However, he does not expect the current cycle to follow that pattern. He linked his view partly to the weakness of the 2024 bull run for altcoins.
Instead, he wants investors to assess whether project teams can keep improving their products. According to Van de Poppe, resilience matters because teams need to continue developing their products toward product-market fit. He identified AAVE, LINK, and NEAR as examples of established protocols.
TOTAL Excluding Top 10 Reaches $247.8B
The market data shows activity among cryptocurrencies outside the top 10. TOTAL excluding the Top 10 is near $247.8 billion, with the latest four-hour candle down $721.94 million, or 0.29%.
Reported volume is at $10.4 billion. The index traded around $195 billion to $200 billion in early September before reaching about $213 billion around September 7.
After falling toward $198 billion, the market entered a stronger advance around September 16. It then moved above $220 billion, $230 billion, and $240 billion before reaching $254 billion to $255 billion.
Smaller-Cap Market Consolidates Near $250B
Since the late-September peak, TOTAL excluding the Top 10 has traded mostly between $240 billion and $250 billion. The current $247.8 billion level remains below the $250 billion psychological mark. Resistance is around $250 billion to $255 billion.
Meanwhile, $240 billion provides the first notable support, followed by $230 billion to $235 billion. Momentum readings remain positive. RSI is at 57.43 against an average of 52.45, while the MACD line sits at 814.34 million.
The signal line is at 224.63 million, leaving the histogram around 589.72 million. A sustained move above $255 billion would confirm renewed strength, while losing $240 billion could expose $230 billion to $235 billion.
