Luisa Crawford
Jan 21, 2026 10:01
Glassnode’s weekly altcoin report arrives as crypto market cap hits $3.14T with analysts split on whether altcoin season is imminent or a correction looms.
Glassnode released its 38th edition of The Altcoin Vector on January 21, 2026, delivering professional-grade analysis of altcoin markets as the broader crypto sector flashes contradictory signals about what comes next.
The weekly report, which focuses on identifying high-conviction trading setups across volatile altcoin markets, lands at an interesting inflection point. Total crypto market capitalization sits at $3.14 trillion as of January 19, with Bitcoin dominance holding steady enough to allow selective altcoin movements rather than a broad-based rally.
That selectivity matters right now. Analyst sentiment is genuinely split—some are calling for an imminent altcoin season, while others warn that popular names like Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, Cardano, and Litecoin could see 50% or greater drawdowns.
Why On-Chain Data Matters Here
Glassnode’s approach—using on-chain metrics rather than pure price action—becomes particularly valuable when market narratives conflict this sharply. The firm’s analysis covers Bitcoin, Ethereum, and DeFi protocols, giving traders data points that don’t show up on standard charts.
Recent market behavior suggests institutions are paying attention to fundamentals. Spot Bitcoin ETFs have seen significant inflows, and the projects gaining traction tend to be those demonstrating real utility rather than riding meme momentum.
XRP has shown notable on-chain activity surges, while Solana continues outperforming on relative strength metrics. Whether these moves represent the early stages of rotation into alts or just isolated pockets of strength remains the key question traders are trying to answer.
What Traders Should Watch
The Altcoin Vector’s timing coincides with multiple analysts flagging the third week of January as potentially significant for breakout candidates. The divergence between bullish and bearish camps suggests any directional moves could be sharp once the market picks a direction.
For traders looking to position ahead of whatever comes next, the on-chain perspective Glassnode provides offers context that pure technical analysis misses. The full report requires a subscription but covers the specific setups the firm’s analysts are watching across the altcoin space.
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