Capital rotation is reshaping altcoin season: legacy meme leaders DOGE and SHIB are losing share while new meme winners and select alts like SDEX, LINK, ETH, SOL and AVAX attract fresh flows. This article explains why, with case studies and a practical framework to separate durable rerates from short‑lived pumps.

A balanced deep-dive comparing the bearish path toward $80K with the bullish compression/breakout thesis. Synthesizes technical structure, on‑chain flow, and derivatives positioning into a practical checklist for traders and portfolio managers.

Aave’s SEC probe closure and its 2026 master plan—targeting real‑world assets, v4 upgrades and a consumer mobile app—mark a turning point for DeFi legitimacy and capital flows. This analysis assesses the regulatory signal, protocol mechanics, governance implications and the practical risks that remain.