Analyst Predicts HYPE and AI Tokens Could Lead Next Altcoin Season as Risk Appetite Returns

A prominent crypto analyst has identified Hyperliquid’s native token, HYPE, and artificial intelligence-related cryptocurrencies as potential leaders of the next altcoin season, citing a revival in market risk appetite.

Analyst Points to HYPE and AI Tokens as Market Sentiment Shifts

Michaël van de Poppe, a well-known figure in cryptocurrency analysis, noted in a recent assessment that the bullish price action in HYPE, combined with growing interest in AI-focused digital assets, signals a broader return of risk-on sentiment among traders. He highlighted that Hyperliquid is not merely a trading platform but is expanding into the tokenization of real-world assets, including stocks, commodities, and pre-IPO offerings. This move, according to van de Poppe, strengthens the on-chain asset tokenization trend and adds fundamental value to the HYPE token.

HYPE Could Surpass $100, Says Van de Poppe

Van de Poppe expressed confidence that HYPE could break above the $100 mark if the current improvement in market sentiment continues. He also pointed to two AI-focused projects—NEAR Protocol and Bittensor (TAO)—as being significantly undervalued relative to their potential. Both projects are building infrastructure for decentralized AI applications, a sector that has seen increased attention following advancements in generative AI and machine learning models.

What This Means for Altcoin Investors

The analyst’s comments come at a time when the broader cryptocurrency market is showing signs of recovery after a prolonged period of consolidation. If van de Poppe’s assessment proves accurate, the next altcoin season may be led not by meme coins or speculative tokens, but by projects with tangible utility in emerging sectors like AI and real-world asset tokenization. For investors, this suggests a potential shift toward fundamentals-driven trading rather than pure speculation.

Conclusion

While the crypto market remains volatile and predictions should be approached with caution, the convergence of on-chain asset tokenization and AI development presents a compelling narrative. Van de Poppe’s analysis adds to a growing chorus of voices suggesting that the next major market cycle could be defined by technological utility rather than hype alone. Readers are advised to conduct their own research and consider the inherent risks before making investment decisions.

FAQs

Q1: What is HYPE token?
HYPE is the native token of Hyperliquid, a decentralized exchange and trading platform that is expanding into tokenized real-world assets such as stocks, commodities, and pre-IPO investments.

Q2: Why are AI tokens like NEAR and TAO considered undervalued?
Analyst Michaël van de Poppe believes NEAR Protocol and Bittensor (TAO) are undervalued because they are building critical infrastructure for decentralized AI applications, a sector with high growth potential that is still in its early stages.

Q3: What is an altcoin season?
An altcoin season refers to a period in the cryptocurrency market when alternative coins (altcoins) outperform Bitcoin in terms of price appreciation, often driven by increased risk appetite and speculative interest.