The altcoin market has come back to life. As Bitcoin consolidates just above $103K, investors are looking for faster-moving opportunities — and this week, altcoins are delivering. According to the latest weekly data, the total crypto market cap (excluding Bitcoin) surged past $1.21 trillion, showing renewed appetite for high-potential tokens across sectors.
While the market remains selective, several altcoins have clearly stood out with double-digit gains, outperforming both Ethereum and Bitcoin over the past 7 days.
Let’s dive into the top altcoin performers of the week.
Pi Network (PI): +19.1% Surge and $410M Volume Boost
Leading this week’s pack is Pi Network (PI), up 19.1% with over $410 million in trading volume. The surge in Pi appears to be fueled by renewed hype surrounding its open mainnet rumors and strong social sentiment.
Despite previous criticisms for delayed launches, the Pi Network is proving it still has an engaged user base — and the price action shows that traders are betting on future exchange listings and ecosystem development.
Kaspa (KAS): Speed, Simplicity, and a 16.7% Weekly Gain
Kaspa is another clear winner this week, gaining 16.7% and crossing the $120 million volume mark. Known for its instant confirmations and GHOSTDAG protocol, Kaspa has become a favorite among Layer 1 blockchain fans who want both scalability and decentralization.
With no presale and no VC involvement, Kaspa’s organic growth story continues to attract attention, especially from the retail crowd looking for clean fundamentals.
Raydium (RAY): Solana’s DEX Favorite Sees +16.1% Spike
Solana-based Raydium (RAY) jumped 16.1%, riding the broader Solana ecosystem rally and renewed DeFi activity. As capital rotates into faster chains and Solana continues to attract devs, Raydium’s liquidity protocols and yield opportunities have made it one of the top DEXs to watch.
RAY’s recovery this week aligns with increased on-chain volume on Solana, which could further support bullish momentum.
Aave (AAVE): Blue-Chip DeFi Makes a Comeback
Aave surged 13.7% this week, reclaiming investor confidence amid talks of renewed institutional interest in DeFi. The protocol remains one of the most battle-tested in the space, and with broader DeFi narratives returning, large-cap protocols like Aave are seeing fresh inflows from sidelined capital.
The price movement shows that even legacy DeFi names can thrive as long as adoption and innovation continue.
Dogecoin (DOGE): Meme Power Still Has Strength
Not to be left out, Dogecoin rallied 9.3%, once again proving that meme coins have a role to play during altcoin rotations. DOGE benefited from a spike in social mentions and rumors around a potential feature integration on X (formerly Twitter).
While fundamentally light, Dogecoin continues to enjoy strong liquidity and retail backing — enough to post consistent weekly gains.
Weekly Outlook: Altcoin Season on the Horizon?
The chart of the total crypto market cap excluding BTC reveals a steady climb over the past few weeks, with a recent breakout pushing the market past $1.21T. This suggests capital rotation is actively underway, and altcoins could be entering a new phase of dominance if Bitcoin consolidates further.
Source: Tradingview
While it’s too early to call full “altcoin season” this week’s data shows that selective high-conviction bets are paying off.
Final Thoughts
The best altcoins of the week — Pi Network, Kaspa, Raydium, Aave, and Dogecoin — highlight a broader trend: investors are ready to explore beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum again.
With strong narratives, active communities, and price momentum on their side, these projects are gaining traction fast. As always, staying informed and acting early makes all the difference in a market that rewards bold but smart decisions.
