Seven Altcoins Positioned for the Next Crypto Bull Run: Which Should You Watch

As crypto markets head deeper into 2026, the conversation around the next crypto bull run has shifted from speculation to strategy. Crypto moves in cycles, and history shows that while Bitcoin often leads the charge, altcoins deliver the outsized returns. The real question isn’t whether the next bull run will happen—it’s how to position yourself within it.

The current market structure differs from previous cycles. Traditional finance infrastructure now exists through spot ETFs and institutional onboarding. Layer 2 networks have matured. Enterprise interest in blockchain applications is moving beyond pilots into production. These shifts mean the next crypto bull run will likely reward projects with real utility over pure narrative plays, though volatility will remain extreme for smaller positions.

Understanding Crypto Cycles and Bull Run Opportunities

Every major bull phase creates a rotation of capital across Bitcoin, dominant altcoins, then emerging narratives. Bitcoin typically functions as the market’s foundation and sentiment anchor. Ethereum traditionally captures the second wave due to its dominance in smart contract activity. From there, capital typically cascades into Layer 2 solutions, niche narratives like AI or gaming, and enterprise-focused platforms.

The 2024–2025 expansion phase demonstrated this pattern clearly. As the market matured, Layer 2 networks absorbed transaction volume that used to congest Ethereum. New infrastructure pieces—from oracle networks to AI integrations—attracted their own ecosystems and developer communities. This maturation means the next bull run will likely be more diffuse, with gains spread across multiple asset classes rather than concentrated in a single narrative.

The practical takeaway: diversification across different altcoin categories becomes essential, rather than betting heavily on a single coin or sector.

Tier 1 Foundations: Ethereum and Chainlink in the Next Bull Cycle

Ethereum (ETH) remains the bedrock of any serious altcoin strategy. Current price sits at $2.06K, but the structural reasons for holding remain unchanged. Ethereum operates as the digital economy layer—smart contracts, DeFi protocols, DAOs, and onchain activity still predominantly run on Ethereum or its Layer 2 spinoffs.

The proof-of-stake transition significantly reduced energy consumption while enabling native staking yield. Layer 2 solutions (Arbitrum, Optimism, Base, and zero-knowledge rollups) have made Ethereum scalable without sacrificing security. Meanwhile, spot ETH ETFs brought deeper liquidity and traditional capital flows into the ecosystem.

Price targets in the next bull run scenario range from revisiting previous highs around $4,800 to $7,000+ if a strong expansion takes hold. These aren’t guaranteed, but the fundamental narrative remains intact: if blockchain activity grows, Ethereum’s position as the settlement layer makes it the primary beneficiary.

Chainlink (LINK) typically trades in Ethereum’s shadow, but its importance cannot be overstated. Oracles—the infrastructure connecting blockchains to real-world data—are unglamorous but absolutely essential. Without Chainlink and similar oracle solutions, DeFi cannot function, real-world asset tokenization cannot scale, and institutional adoption hits a wall.

Current price at $9.23 reflects Chainlink’s quiet reputation. However, the expansion into automation services, institutional partnerships (including traditional finance and cloud providers), and real-world asset integrations keeps expanding its surface area. In a bull run where onchain finance matures further, Chainlink’s value proposition resurfaces with potential upside toward $50+.

Why this tier matters for safety: Ethereum and Chainlink have survived multiple bear markets and deliver clear use cases. They won’t offer 10x returns in a bull run, but they’re less likely to collapse entirely if market sentiment turns.

Layer 2 Dominance: Arbitrum and Polygon Scale Ethereum

The next crypto bull run will likely elevate Layer 2 networks as essential infrastructure. As Ethereum fills up with activity, Layer 2 solutions absorb transaction overflow while maintaining Ethereum’s security properties.

Arbitrum (ARB) dominates the Layer 2 conversation. Currently trading at $0.10, it remains one of the most-used Ethereum scaling networks, with deep liquidity, consistent DeFi usage, and active developer communities. ARB’s position is still relatively young in altcoin terms, but its role in Ethereum’s scaling roadmap provides structural support.

From current levels, a 3x to 5x move over a full cycle is reasonable if Layer 2 adoption continues accelerating and Arbitrum maintains developer mindshare. The key risk: if Layer 2 fragmentation occurs or another solution captures market share, ARB faces headwinds.

Polygon (POL) underwent a major transition by evolving from MATIC to its new POL token structure. This wasn’t just a rebrand—it repositioned Polygon as core Ethereum infrastructure rather than standalone layer. Polygon’s zkEVM and scaling tools target enterprise mass adoption. Partnerships with Meta, Disney, and Starbucks demonstrated real use cases, even if those companies haven’t yet driven massive public adoption.

In a bull run where Ethereum demand grows, Polygon benefits directly as the infrastructure layer managing enterprise application scale. Previous highs near $5 remain achievable in strong market conditions. Current pricing reflects caution on enterprise adoption timelines.

Speed and Adoption: Solana and Avalanche as Alternative Plays

Solana (SOL) represents the “alternative layer 1” narrative. After the FTX collapse in 2022–2023, Solana faced existential questions. The network survived, developers returned, and the ecosystem rebuilt. Today, Solana sits at $87.39.

What keeps Solana relevant: speed and low fees remain unmatched among major chains. This combination attracted DeFi protocols, NFT platforms, gaming applications, and consumer-focused projects that need throughput. Institutional interest has picked up noticeably. Infrastructure quality—from indexers to wallets to developer tools—improved significantly compared to earlier cycles.

A move from current levels toward $300–$400 is not unrealistic if adoption accelerates. That implies a 3x to 5x rally, which is possible but assumes the network avoids another catastrophic event and maintains developer traction.

Avalanche (AVAX) operates in a different niche: enterprise-focused infrastructure with DeFi optionality. Currently at $9.30, Avalanche’s subnet model allows institutions and developers to launch custom blockchains without sacrificing performance. Partnerships with Deloitte, Mastercard, and AWS positioned Avalanche as a bridge between crypto and traditional enterprise.

DeFi activity on Avalanche has been steadily rebuilding. In a bull run where institutional blockchain adoption accelerates, a return toward previous highs around $146 is reasonable, with potential upside to $200+ if major enterprise deployments launch. The trade-off: enterprise adoption moves slower than retail speculation.

AI Infrastructure: The Emerging Narrative for the Next Run

AI-related tokens no longer rely purely on hype. Fetch.ai and SingularityNET, now operating under the ASI alliance framework, represent a more mature approach to merging AI and decentralized infrastructure. Rather than narrative-driven pumps, these projects focus on AI agents, data markets, and onchain automation.

As global AI adoption accelerates, crypto-based AI infrastructure could recapture attention. These tokens remain volatile with higher drawdown risk than established networks, but they carry asymmetric upside potential of 5x to 10x if the right catalysts align. The catch: higher volatility also means larger drawdowns during bear phases.

Risk Stratification: How to Approach Each Tier of Altcoins

Different altcoins fit different risk profiles:

• Conservative (Lower volatility, established use cases): Ethereum, Chainlink. These provide exposure to the next bull run with lower probability of total loss.

• Moderate (Scaling infrastructure with clear roadmaps): Arbitrum, Polygon, Solana. More upside potential than tier 1, but with legitimate use cases and developer ecosystems backing them.

• Aggressive (Emerging narratives, higher risk/reward): AI tokens, newer Layer 2 solutions, enterprise platforms like Avalanche. These offer 5x to 10x upside but can also suffer 50–80% drawdowns.

Timing Strategy and Execution for the Next Bull Cycle

A critical mistake traders make: waiting for the perfect entry point. Crypto’s next bull run often moves faster than expected, and catching it perfectly is nearly impossible. Dollar-cost averaging (DCA) over weeks or months remains the most reliable approach, especially given volatility.

Before buying any altcoin, check fundamentals. Read the technical documentation, track onchain activity (transaction counts, active addresses, developer commits), and scan independent community feedback. This filter removes most noise and separates real adoption from empty speculation.

Bitcoin remains the foundation of the market, but altcoins are where volatility and outsized returns concentrate. The next crypto bull run will feature different winners based on how capital rotates: whether it flows into established Layer 2 networks, alternative layer 1s, AI infrastructure, or enterprise-focused platforms depends on real adoption metrics and market sentiment.

The key insight: understand why you’re holding each position, not just hoping price goes up. Position sizing, risk tolerance, and time horizon should drive selection, not FOMO or social media narratives.