Altseason Signals: Bitcoin Near $115K, ETF Inflows & Low‑Cap Gems Surge

Altseason Signals: Bitcoin Near $115K, ETF Inflows & Low‑Cap Gems Surge
By Emma Foster

Bitcoin Eyes $115K as Altseason Heats Up

The crypto market is flashing strong altseason signals as Bitcoin nears the critical $115,000 mark. Fueling this momentum are record-breaking ETF inflows and an increasing rotation of investor capital into low-cap altcoins. According to a recent CoinCodex forecast for August 2025, Bitcoin is on track to test $118K, while the altcoin market is expected to outperform in terms of percentage gains.

With Bitcoin dominance hovering around 62%, analysts believe this is a turning point where profits from BTC begin cycling into mid- and small-cap tokens. The past few weeks have already seen impressive movements in coins like Bonk (BONK), Pepe (PEPE), and rising star PENGU, all posting double-digit gains on the back of strong sentiment and rising social engagement.

CoinCodex Forecast: Bullish Outlook for August

The latest CoinCodex model points toward a continuation of bullish momentum across the board. The forecast suggests that BTC could reach $118,000 by mid-August, largely thanks to sustained ETF demand and favorable macro conditions. Additionally, several altcoins with small market caps and active communities are forecasted to significantly outperform Bitcoin on a percentage basis.

CoinCodex analysts highlight a few key themes supporting this trend:

  • Strong institutional demand for crypto ETFs
  • Rising global M2 money supply fueling risk-on asset classes
  • Retail engagement returning to meme coins and DeFi projects
  • Low-cap coins delivering faster gains as liquidity improves

ETF Inflows Push Institutional Confidence Higher

Spot Bitcoin ETFs have become a major force in market stabilization. In July alone, U.S.-based Bitcoin ETFs attracted over $3.2 billion in net inflows. BlackRock, Fidelity, and Ark Invest led the charge, bringing mainstream legitimacy to BTC and opening the floodgates for other crypto investment vehicles.

This influx of capital is pushing Bitcoin into a stable rally, giving investors the confidence to diversify into higher-risk, higher-reward assets. As Bitcoin cools in the $110K–$115K range, the rotation toward altcoins becomes increasingly aggressive—mirroring past altseasons seen in 2017 and 2021.

Altcoin Spotlight: BONK, PEPE, and PENGU

Several low-cap tokens are benefiting from this new capital inflow. While Ethereum and Solana continue to hold strong, meme coins and microcaps are surging at a faster rate.

Bonk (BONK)

Originally launched on the Solana network as a meme experiment, Bonk has turned into one of the strongest performing altcoins in July. It’s up over 85% in the past 30 days and has climbed into the top 100 market cap rankings. BONK’s integration with Solana DeFi platforms and NFT staking protocols has fueled renewed interest among younger crypto traders.

Pepe (PEPE)

Despite being dismissed by critics, PEPE has proven resilient. It recently broke above a key resistance level and has added 40% in two weeks. PEPE’s strength lies in its hyper-engaged community and aggressive burn mechanics. It continues to trend on X and Reddit, suggesting its retail momentum is far from over.

PENGU: The New Entrant on Everyone’s Radar

PENGU is the latest addition to the meme-token surge but with a twist: it's combining Web3 gaming rewards and NFT mechanics in a Layer-2 architecture. The token is up 220% since early July, despite being under the radar. With rumors of a Tier 1 CEX listing and influencer backing from well-known crypto traders, PENGU may be this quarter’s breakout coin.

Market Metrics Support Rotation Narrative

On-chain metrics show a growing inflow into altcoin-focused wallets. Wallets holding under $1M in BTC are down 3.5% over the past 10 days, while small-cap altcoin holdings have surged by over 12% across wallets of the same tier.

Exchange volumes on altcoin pairs—especially BONK/USDT and PENGU/ETH—have nearly doubled in the past two weeks. According to CoinGecko data, social volume for meme coins is at its highest since Q4 2021.

What to Expect in the Coming Weeks

If Bitcoin holds above the $110,000 support and ETF inflows remain strong, altcoin momentum is expected to accelerate. CoinCodex projects that altcoins could outperform BTC 3:1 on average through August, with meme coins and low-cap DeFi tokens offering the highest potential upside.

Investors are cautioned, however, to maintain proper risk exposure. While the opportunity for quick gains is real, altcoins are volatile and often subject to sharp corrections. Diversifying across quality tokens, using stop losses, and avoiding late-stage FOMO are essential in navigating altseason profitably.

Conclusion

The crypto market is clearly transitioning into the next phase of this cycle. With Bitcoin approaching $115K, ETF demand surging, and low-cap altcoins catching fire, all signs point to a textbook altseason. Whether you’re holding ETH, experimenting with meme tokens like PENGU, or rebalancing into Bonk and PEPE, this is one of the most dynamic trading environments in recent years. For seasoned investors and bold newcomers alike, August 2025 is shaping up to be a month of opportunity.

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This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Cryptocurrency investments are volatile and carry significant risk. Always conduct your own research and consult with qualified financial advisors before making investment decisions. Hodl Horizon is not responsible for any financial losses incurred from actions taken based on the information provided in this article.

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