The "ICU" period for altcoins might be coming to an end soon! Looking back at history, every time the Fed hits the brakes on quantitative tightening (QT), altcoin pairs against Bitcoin surge violently, as if injected with adrenaline.

This isn’t superstition—it’s a brutal pattern. QT drains liquidity from the market, and both Bitcoin and altcoins get thirsty. But when the pump stops? The thirstiest and most elastic altcoins act like dry sponges thrown into water—they expand instantly. The usual playbook has always been: marginal easing of liquidity → bold players start entering the market → funds overflow from "steady big brother" Bitcoin → a frenzy rushes into high-risk, high-reward altcoins. The latter half of a bull market has always been the main stage for altcoins.

But this time... the script is the same, but the director has changed.

First, Bitcoin has "changed." In the past, when liquidity came in, retail investors would go straight to altcoins; now? Institutions might keep pouring money into Bitcoin ETFs, and the capital flow might not follow the old path. Second, macro narratives have taken over. A single phrase from the Fed is more powerful than ten pages of a project’s whitepaper. The switch for altcoin season isn’t in the hands of the market makers—it's in the Fed Chair’s mouth. Lastly, liquidity alone isn’t enough; you also need a catalyst—something explosive like the last DeFi Summer to lure money out of Bitcoin’s "comfort zone."

So, what should you watch next?

Don’t just listen to the Fed’s talk; look at hard data like overnight repo rates between banks. When real liquidity arrives, smart money will move. Also, watch BTC.D (Bitcoin dominance)—if this thing doesn’t drop below 40%, forget about a full-blown altcoin season. If Bitcoin doesn’t give up the spotlight, altcoins won’t get a chance. Finally, look for new narratives: AI, DePIN, RWA—whichever story can catch fire will be the trigger point.

In short: The end of QT is a necessary condition for the altcoin revival, but it’s not enough. This time, it’s not just about money; you’ll need a new game even more exciting than Bitcoin to lure capital out.

Are you the one lining up at the ICU door in advance, or will you only think about registering when the ambulance sirens start blaring?