Panel Discussion: Should I Buy Bitcoin or Altcoins in This Cycle
Amid ongoing discussions about the current bull cycle in cryptocurrency markets, seasoned trader Steve “IceSteam” Jimenez emphasized that altcoin season, or better known as the altseason, is “very much alive,” though it may not resemble the mainstream surges of past cycles.
Jimenez, who is the co-founder of Innovative Movement of the Philippine Association of Crypto Traders (IMPACT), joined guest speakers Macky Cruz, an executive at $USDT issuer Tether, and Joseph Lejarde of trading education platform Whizkid Academy in a panel discussion titled “Will I Make More Money on Bitcoin or Altcoins in This Cycle?” The session was moderated by Harry Santos of the local crypto exchange PDAX.
The panel discussion took place during BitPinas x GCrypto Bitcoin Pizza Day 2025 in Taguig City. Co-organized by BitPinas and GCrypto, the cryptocurrency platform of GCash, the event brought together more than 200 crypto enthusiasts to celebrate $BTC’s history and future.
Is Altseason Coming?
Jimenez countered doubts about the long-anticipated altseason, asserting that it remains a recurring trend in the crypto space, driven by continuous token launches, often unnoticed by the mainstream.
One of the most popular analysis that BitPinas covered is when crypto analyst Miles Deutscher claimed that the industry did not experience altseason because the speculative capital that would have once been poured into the top 200 assets instead jumped the gun and flooded into on-chain low caps, or the meme coins.
“There will always be an altseason. There is always a memecoin. If you have a small capital, I would suggest dividing it. You put half in $BTC or $ETH, and the other half, that is what you play with. If you can buy in at a ₱20,000 market cap and it goes to ₱50,000, you can still profit from that. That happens every day, every minute.”
Steve “IceSteam” Jimenez, Co-Founder, Innovative Movement of the Philippine Association of Crypto Traders (IMPACT)
He also noted the potential of altcoins for short-term gains, contrasting it with the slower growth trajectory of $BTC at its current high price.
$BTC vs. Alt: Should You Buy Altcoins?
When the discussion turned to portfolio allocation, Cruz expressed strong confidence in $BTC.
“My company is one of the first in the world. We have been holding $BTC in our balance sheet for years. There are only 21 million $BTC. Now, countries want to buy it and put it in reserve.”
Macky Cruz, Executive, Tether
Lejarde offered a slightly different perspective, suggesting that current market conditions might favor altcoins. He noted that U.S. President Donald Trump has shown a favorable stance toward alternative cryptocurrencies, signaling a shift in sentiment among political leaders.
“The trend we are watching right now is all about altcoins. $BTC will go up to $120,000 so we can have funding for the altcoins. That is what we want to see. Looking at macro data, it is like Powell versus Trump. Powell does not want to lower rates, while Trump does. And, of course, inflation is also low, which is below 2% now. So, I hope this is positive for altcoins.”
Joseph Lejarde, Founder, Whizkid Academy
Jimenez advised those with small capital to diversify their investments. While it is difficult to achieve large returns with $BTC alone, altcoins offer greater potential for high gains, such as 10x or more. However, he emphasized that his own approach remains more balanced.
“If you are starting out, you have to struggle first with altcoins and smaller coins because that is where the big movement is. But if you are trading full-time, your focus is on trading. You always have your mind on $USDT. If you are a holder, of course, you will say $BTC or another major asset. But as a trader, I’ve noticed that some traders do not care about $BTC. Mostly—not all—but some of the long-term traders I know put part of their profit into $BTC and trade the rest in altcoins.”
Steve “IceSteam” Jimenez, Co-Founder, Innovative Movement of the Philippine Association of Crypto Traders (IMPACT)
Changing Crypto Landscape
Jimenez also pointed out how much crypto trading has matured. Years ago, traders sent either satoshi, which is the smallest denomination of $BTC, or altcoins to exchanges due to the lack of stablecoins.
Today, stablecoins like $USDT make trading more efficient, and traders now pay attention to macroeconomic factors such as the Consumer Price Index and Federal Open Market Committee decisions, not just price action.
Meanwhile, Cruz noted a major shift in the current bull market: the rise of institutional involvement. Unlike previous cycles driven by retail investors, large financial institutions, including Wall Street firms and banks, are now participating, even through exchange-traded funds (ETFs). This, he said, adds more stability and predictability to the market.
“So, the swings will vary quite differently from past bull markets,” Cruz said. “Some people suggest that maybe this could be the last bull market where swings will be as fantastic as previous ones, simply because more conservative market movers are now in this space.”
Macky Cruz, Executive, Tether
Conversely, Lejarde noted that in 2017, $BTC surged due to Trump’s tax cuts, despite his earlier anti-crypto stance. Now, Trump appears more crypto-friendly and strategic. With institutions involved and Bitcoin ETFs in place, and with crypto closely tied to the U.S. stock market, Lejarde warned that Trump’s proposed tariffs could drive inflation up, potentially pulling crypto prices down as well.
This article is published on BitPinas: Panel Discussion: Should I Buy Bitcoin or Altcoins in This Cycle
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