Altcoins Surge, RSI Signals & the Degen Options Revolution | by PowerTrade | Jun, 2025

Altcoins rallied across the board yesterday, riding a wave of bullish sentiment. Bitcoin traded flat, but the broader altcoin index jumped ~2%, indicating traders rotating into alternative coins. Nearly every top 100 crypto was in the green — a clear sign of market optimism. Major players like Ethereum (ETH) climbed about 4.6% to $2,798, while Dogecoin (DOGE) led large-caps with a 5.4% gain. Several altcoins saw double-digit surges; for instance, Uniswap (UNI) spiked 18% in one day, outpacing even many Bitcoin rivals.

Market news and sentiment were firmly risk-on. Traders cheered a hopeful macro backdrop — reports of a tentative U.S.–China trade deal boosted confidence in risk assets, spilling over into crypto. Even more impactful, regulators showed surprising leniency: the SEC announced exemptions for certain DeFi projects, a development that sparked optimism for Ethereum’s ecosystem. This “good news” cocktail helped altcoins rally in tandem with Bitcoin. A memecoin mania also hinted at exuberance; a newer token HYPE (aptly named) joined ETH in “leading the altcoin charge” as traders speculated on the next big thing.

Notably wild moves underscored the alt market’s volatility. One obscure token, Aura (AURA), stunned the market by skyrocketing 6,000% in 24 hours, from under $0.001 to over $0.05. Such a parabolic jump — absent any real news — had analysts suspecting a pump-and-dump scheme, reminding everyone that extreme caution is warranted with lesser-known alts. Overall, though, the tone yesterday was upbeat: a bullish altcoin “mini-season” may be brewing, with traders piling into alts on expectations of outsized gains. The market’s fear/greed index is tilting toward greed, reflecting the FOMO that’s creeping back into crypto circles.

How hot are altcoins right now? To answer that, traders often look at the Relative Strength Index (RSI) — a momentum indicator — across many coins. CoinGlass’s RSI Heatmap gives a bird’s-eye view of which tokens are overheated or oversold at a glance. RSI measures recent buying vs. selling pressure on a 0–100 scale. Readings above ~70 indicate an asset is “overbought” (strong recent gains), while values below ~30 indicate “oversold” conditions (heavy recent selling). When a lot of coins flash high RSI values at once, the market might be overheating and due for a cooldown. Conversely, predominantly low RSI values can signal a bottoming-out.

As of today, most altcoins sit in a neutral-to-bullish RSI territory. On the heatmap, we don’t see wall-to-wall red (extreme overbought) — instead, many alt RSI readings are in the 50s–60s range, reflecting moderate upward momentum without screaming “bubble” just yet. For example, Ethereum’s daily RSI is hovering just below the overbought zone, around the high-60s, after its recent run-up. That suggests the rally has strength but isn’t too stretched. A few coins are closer to overheated levels — some smaller caps that jumped double-digits — but crucially, the average RSI remains below 70. This implies there’s still gas in the tank for further gains unless we see a broad push into the red zone. Traders will be watching if momentum indicators tick higher in coming days; if the average RSI pushes into the mid-70s, it could be a warning that a short-term pullback or cooling-off phase is due.

Key support and resistance levels are coming into play as alt prices climb. Many top alts are approaching important chart barriers they’ll need to crack to keep the uptrend going:

• Ethereum (ETH): After breaking out above a ~$2,740 resistance, ETH’s next major test is the $3,000 region. A clean move above $3K could open a path to around $3,150 (the next projected target). Its support on the downside is around ~$2,580 (the 20-day moving average) — bulls need to defend that level on any dip to avoid a deeper pullback. Notably, ETH’s daily RSI near 70 suggests bulls have the upper hand for now, but also that the asset is nearing an overbought threshold, so a breather could happen if it surges too fast.
• Solana (SOL): SOL has bounced into the middle of its recent range. It’s trading in the $160s, with a ceiling around $185 — a break above $185 would be a bullish breakout from its multi-week range. In that scenario, SOL could attract fresh momentum buyers. On the flip side, strong support sits around $140; a drop below that would signal that bears regained control and could trigger a larger down-move. For now, momentum is slightly in favor of bulls (the RSI is marginally above 50), so the bias is toward an eventual test of the upper range.
• XRP: Ripple’s token is consolidating, waiting for a catalyst. It’s range-bound between ~$2.00 support and ~$2.65 resistance in recent days. A push above $2.36 would indicate buyers are gaining steam, but really $2.65 is the hurdle to clear for a significant rally leg (with $3+ as the next target). If XRP slides under $2.00, however, that would break the range to the downside and could send it toward ~$1.61 (the next support). The RSI for XRP is near mid-50s — pretty balanced — reflecting this wait-and-see mode.

Big picture: the technicals show healthy uptrends for many alts, but we’re approaching inflection points. Bulls want to see breakouts above those resistance levels to confirm an altcoin uptrend extension. If that happens on strong volume, it could ignite a more euphoric altseason. However, if prices stall at resistance and RSI indicators start tipping into overbought territory, expect some profit-taking. The next few days will be telling as to whether this rally has legs or needs a pit stop.

Looking ahead through the rest of the week, traders should keep an eye on both technical signals and news catalysts. The altcoin market tends to follow Bitcoin’s lead — but with higher beta. If Bitcoin manages to break its all-time high (around $111K) in the coming days, it could act as rocket fuel for altcoins, pulling the whole sector higher in a “rising tide lifts all boats” scenario. In that bullish case, we might see major alts attempt their next resistance levels (as noted above) and even more speculative coins could go into “melt-up” mode. Market sentiment would likely shift into overdrive, and that average RSI we discussed might push toward an overheated red zone if everything rallies at once.

However, traders should also be prepared for volatility around macro events. This week, a big focus is on the U.S. inflation report and other economic data. If inflation comes in hotter than expected, it could spook traditional markets and crypto alike — a scenario where Bitcoin might pull back from its highs. In that case, altcoins, which are historically more volatile, could see sharper short-term drops. Key support levels (like ETH’s ~$2,580 or SOL’s ~$140 mentioned earlier) would be tested. Risk management is crucial: after such a strong run, any negative surprise can cause an outsized reaction in alts.

On the flip side, positive developments (e.g. more favorable regulatory news or major adoption headlines) could extend the altcoin optimism. There are also coin-specific events to watch: for example, protocol upgrades or token unlocks can sway an individual altcoin’s price. This week saw Celo (CELO) launch a major upgrade on June 11, which aimed to improve its scalability. Traders were eyeing a break above ~$0.33 resistance on that news — a successful upgrade could boost confidence and price, while any hiccup or “sell-the-news” effect might bring it back to ~$0.29 support. Similar narratives will play out for other coins with upcoming events.

Bottom line: The near-term trend for altcoins is cautiously optimistic. Momentum favors the bulls heading into the week, but much depends on whether they can push through key ceilings (and whether external news stays favorable). Keep an eye on those RSI readings and support levels. If we see multiple alts breaking out to new highs with RSI creeping into the 70s, it could signal a short-term blow-off top — a time when taking some profits isn’t a bad idea. Alternatively, a controlled climb with occasional pullbacks would be the ideal “staircase” rise for a sustainable alt uptrend. Seasoned traders often say: “the trend is your friend… until it bends.” This week, enjoy the uptrend but stay alert for any bend in momentum.

It’s an exciting time to be trading crypto — but wild price swings can be a double-edged sword for beginners. What if you could turn volatility into an opportunity while limiting your risk? That’s exactly what crypto options allow you to do. Options are derivatives that give you the right (but not obligation) to buy or sell an asset (like an altcoin) at a set price by a future date. In essence, buying an option is like placing a bet on where prices will go, with built-in risk control — the most you can lose is just the small premium you pay up front. For newcomers, options might sound complex, but at a high level they can be your best friend in a volatile market. Here’s why options are a game-changer for crypto traders:

• Limited Risk, No Liquidations: When you purchase an option, you pay a fee (premium) and that’s the maximum you can lose — no matter how much the market swings. Unlike trading on margin or futures, you won’t get liquidated or margin-called. If your idea was wrong, the option simply expires worthless and you’re out only the premium. This safety net is huge in crypto, where sudden 20% swings can and do happen overnight. Options let you sleep easy knowing a bad move won’t wipe out your account.
• High Leverage Upside: Options give you asymmetric payoff. A small investment can potentially yield a large return if the market moves in your favor. For example, buying a call option on an altcoin for $100 could turn into a payout many times that if the coin’s price “moons” beyond the strike price. You effectively get leverage without borrowing — and without the risk of going negative. This is perfect for volatile cryptos where big moves happen quickly. If the coin doesn’t perform, you lose only your $100 premium; but if it takes off, your upside can be significant relative to that cost.
• Hedging & Protection: You can think of options as insurance for your crypto portfolio. Worried that your stack of ETH or ADA might dump next week? You can buy a put option, which gives you the right to sell at a fixed price. If the market indeed tanks, your put option will soar in value, offsetting losses on your coins — it’s like having a safety parachute. Even long-term HODLers use options in this way, buying cheap “disaster insurance” puts to guard against major downside. This way, you stay exposed to upside but have a buffer if things go south.
• Flexibility & Strategic Plays: Perhaps the coolest thing about options is the sheer flexibility they offer. With combinations of calls and puts, you can craft strategies to profit in any scenario — up, down, or even sideways. Think the market will be flat and boring? There are options strategies (like selling covered calls or iron condors) to earn income from that. Expecting huge volatility but not sure of direction? A long straddle (buying a call and a put) lets you profit from a big move either way. Options enable creative approaches: you’re not limited to just “buy or sell” as with spot trading. This means you can express nuanced views on the market, bet on volatility itself, or mitigate risk in ways that plain token trading can’t match.

In short, options are a powerful tool that even beginners can use to manage crypto’s notorious volatility. They let you dial your risk up or down in a controlled fashion. Importantly, because your risk is capped (when buying options), starting with options can actually be safer for a newbie than trading with high leverage on futures. You’ll never get the dreaded “liquidation email” — the worst case is known in advance. As crypto markets mature, options trading is exploding in popularity. In fact, altcoin options volumes surged by over 150,000% in 2024 as traders realized the potential. So, learning about options isn’t just for Wall Street pros anymore — it’s becoming an essential part of the crypto trading toolkit for staying ahead of the game.

One platform at the forefront of the crypto options boom is PowerTrade — a trading venue that has recently grabbed headlines by offering ultra-short-term crypto options. If standard options let you bet on weekly or monthly moves, PowerTrade has dialed it up to “degen” speed with options that expire in as little as 10 minutes! This is an industry-first offering that has traders both excited and wide-eyed. Let’s dive into what makes PowerTrade and its new short-term options unique, and why it’s quickly gaining popularity among crypto enthusiasts.

Recent PowerTrade Developments — the 10-Minute Options era: In early June, PowerTrade rolled out 1-hour and 10-minute option expiries — meaning you can now speculate or hedge on price swings that play out within the same hour or even just a few minutes. Imagine catching a sudden Bitcoin breakout or a meme coin spike and having an option that capitalizes on that move, expiring just moments later. That’s now possible. PowerTrade’s CEO, Mario Gomez Lozada, called these ultra-short contracts “the most agile option products in crypto,” letting traders execute with precision in any market environment. These products are affectionately dubbed “degen options” because of their high-risk, high-reward, fast-action nature — perfect for adrenaline-seeking traders who want to monetize intraday spikes or hedge very short-term risks with surgical timing.

What makes these short-term options so powerful? PowerTrade has introduced some killer features to support them:

• Lightning-Fast Expiries: New option contracts roll out constantly — every 10 minutes for the 10-min options, and on the hour for 1-hr options, across BTC and 80+ altcoins. This huge variety (80+ different coins, from majors to DeFi to even meme tokens) and rapid cycle means over 100,000 unique contracts are available. Traders have an unmatched menu to express any short-term view. Whether you expect a big announcement for Solana in the next hour or want to bet on a quick Doge pump, there’s likely a contract for that. This breadth is unmatched in the industry — most exchanges offer only a few expiries on a few coins, but PowerTrade has basically opened the floodgates for altcoin options.
• >1,000× Leverage, Zero Liquidation Risk: Because option premiums are typically very small (often less than 0.1% of the contract’s notional value), trading these short expiries gives an effective leverage of over 1000x on your capital. In simpler terms, a tiny outlay controls a large position for a few minutes. If the trade goes your way, the percentage returns can be massive (true degens have made 10×+ in minutes on sudden moves). If it doesn’t, your loss is capped at that tiny premium — no liquidations, no margin calls ever. The max loss is just the premium paid, so even a 1000x leveraged bet won’t ever bankrupt you. This is a totally different risk profile than, say, 100x leverage perpetual futures which can liquidate and leave you with nothing. PowerTrade basically offers the thrill of extreme leverage without the usual wipeout risk.
• One-Click Trading (PowerTrade Lite): To make these rapid-fire options accessible, PowerTrade introduced a new Lite interface that simplifies the complexity. You don’t have to manually sift through dozens of strikes and expiries. Instead, you can click directly on the price chart, and the system will automatically suggest the optimal option contract (the strike and expiry with the highest potential ROI for that price level). It’s basically a “point-and-shoot” approach to options. For beginners, this is a game-changer — no intimidating option chain to decode, just pick your target price and timeframe on the chart and the platform handles the rest. By making options trading as easy as a few taps, PowerTrade is lowering the barrier for newbies to dive in. “We just made options trading as easy as clicking on a price level,” the CEO said, and it really shows in the UX.
• CEX + DEX Integration: Another standout feature is that PowerTrade offers these markets on both a centralized exchange (CEX) and a decentralized exchange (DEX) called PowerDEX. You can trade via the traditional web/mobile app (with custody and order books) or, if you prefer self-custody, you can connect your wallet and trade on-chain with no sign-up or KYC. Both venues have the same options and liquidity, and run 24/7, so you won’t miss a beat. This dual approach means you get the best of both worlds: the ease of a CEX or the privacy and control of a DEX, all unified under one platform. Notably, PowerDEX is live on Ethereum, Base, and Solana, giving users flexibility in how they want to trade.

It’s no surprise that PowerTrade’s short-term options are gaining popularity fast. They appeal to the crypto crowd’s love of high-octane trading. Want to play the outcome of a Fed speech or a quick CPI data release? There’s now an option for that — literally. Traders have used these 10-min options for “news-flash plays” (e.g. capturing a sudden CPI surprise within minutes), or to hedge a short-lived risk (like a funding rate spike) without having to roll futures positions. Others treat them like lottery tickets — tossing in a few bucks on long-shot bets that could pay off big if, say, a coin pumps 20% in the next 10 minutes. The zero-fee promotion on these options (PowerTrade launched them with no trading fees in June) has further enticed traders to give it a try.

Beyond the degens, PowerTrade is also drawing in more sophisticated users. The platform boasts tight spreads and ample liquidity even on niche alt options, thanks to a network of market makers. They also run a 24/7 RFQ (Request-For-Quote) desk on Telegram for anyone needing to execute large or complex orders — meaning even hedge funds can block trade through PowerTrade with minimal slippage. This combination of a sleek mobile-friendly interface for newbies and Wall Street-grade tools for pros (like multi-leg strategy builders and block trading) is helping PowerTrade carve out a leading position in the crypto options arena.

In summary, PowerTrade has brought the thrill of ultra-short-term options to crypto, empowering traders to capitalize on volatility in ways previously not possible. Whether you’re a beginner intrigued by the idea of “10-minute bets” or a seasoned trader looking for new strategies to squeeze alpha from minute-to-minute price moves, the platform offers a unique playground. As crypto markets continue to evolve, innovations like these “degen options” are pushing the envelope — giving everyone from retail to institutions new avenues to manage risk and chase reward. It’s fast, it’s fun, and yes, it’s risky — but for many crypto traders, that’s exactly the allure. Welcome to the new frontier of crypto trading, where a 1-hour option could make your week, and where mastering volatility is the name of the game!

(Disclaimer: Options trading, especially ultra-short-term contracts, carries high risk and isn’t for everyone. Beginners should start small and educate themselves — never trade more than you can afford to lose. The strategies and platforms discussed above are exciting tools, but always practice prudent risk management when navigating the crypto seas!)