In a recent conversation, Real Vision founder Raoul Pal and Rekt cofounder OSF dropped some major signals that could shape how the crypto market unfolds over the next 12 to 18 months. Both believe the market is shifting dramatically, and Ethereum could be at the center of it all.
“I think ETH is probably going to shock people going forward. It’s going to really explode,” Pal said, hinting at a potential breakout that could define the next stage of this cycle.
And just as the conversation heats up around Ethereum, one name has unexpectedly entered the picture: Donald Trump.
According to recent on-chain reports, the former U.S. president now holds more than $500 million worth of Ethereum in his crypto wallets. That’s right—the same Trump who once slammed crypto as “a disaster waiting to happen” is now quietly one of ETH’s biggest holders.
OSF, who has been closely following crypto market shifts since the 2020 DeFi summer, emphasized the broader narrative taking shape.
“The market is more than just Bitcoin now. This is an asset class—a global one.”
Unlike the dot-com boom of the ’90s, which was largely confined to U.S.-accredited investors, crypto markets are open to anyone, anywhere. That borderless accessibility has fueled explosive growth, and now, OSF says, the altcoin scene is finally catching up.
“There are so many quality altcoins now, and there are people all over the world buying in,” he added.
Pal echoed the sentiment, noting that we’re heading into a different kind of cycle—one where macro tailwinds, regulatory clarity, and institutional momentum converge with a maturing altcoin market.
Popular crypto content creators at Altcoin Daily didn’t hold back either. In a recent video that’s already gaining traction, they backed the Ethereum thesis and told viewers that the time to accumulate quality altcoins is now.
“I’ve been full-time in crypto for over seven years,” said host Aaron Arnold. “Most people don’t know what they’re talking about. I do. And I’m telling you—Ethereum and quality altcoins are where you need to be looking.”
He promised to share his top three altcoin picks in the video, while also stressing that the next 12 to 18 months are likely to look very different from the past few years.
“This market isn’t going to behave the same way it did in 2021. If you’re expecting a repeat, you’ll be caught off guard,” he said.
Ethereum is once again stepping into the spotlight—not just as a smart contract platform, but as a leading macro asset. With major ETF filings, the upcoming Dencun upgrade, and now a potential Trump-linked narrative, ETH could be headed for a breakout moment.
Add to that the increasing attention on L2 ecosystems, real-world asset tokenization, and Ethereum’s role in institutional DeFi, and you’ve got the makings of what could be the most explosive altcoin cycle to date.
Between Raoul Pal’s forecast, Trump’s unexpected ETH stash, and the growing chorus of voices backing altcoins, one thing is becoming clear: altcoin season might not just be coming—it could already be here.
And if Ethereum truly does lead this next leg of the cycle, a lot of people might find themselves scrambling to catch up.
