Is altseason finally brewing? Only if THESE 2 indicators flip first

Hopes for an altcoin season in 2026 are starting to build, with investors beginning to look beyond Bitcoin.

That said, it may still be too soon to call it. While expectations are rising, the conditions needed for a full altcoin rally are not firmly in place yet.

The latest ISM Manufacturing PMI came in at 52.6%, its highest reading in nearly 40 months. This pushed U.S. manufacturing back into expansion territory.

Source: X

Past altcoin rallies have tended to follow periods when ISM moved decisively higher. In both 2017 and 2021, altseasons took shape only after PMI readings climbed above the 55 mark.

While current levels remain below that threshold, it looks like a potential turning point may be in order.