The altcoin boom never actually stopped—most traders just backed the wrong horses. That's the take from prominent crypto figures who argue that this market cycle operates differently than previous ones. Rather than rehashing old narratives, the current wave centers on fresh themes and novel assets capturing genuine momentum.

Consider tokens like HYPE gaining substantial traction: these represent new opportunities that wouldn't have existed in earlier cycles. Investors fixated on repeating past patterns often miss the actual winners emerging right in front of them. The real game isn't about waiting for alts to move—it's about identifying which narratives are actually capturing real capital flows and builder activity in this cycle.

The lesson? Stop chasing replays of 2017 or 2021. Watch what's actually happening in the ecosystem right now.