As the altcoin market enters a familiar phase, Vandell Aljarrah has a message for XRP holders experiencing a declining market. The Black Swan Capitalist co-founder wrote, “They want you out before the next expansion.”
“Shake the weak hands, then run it without them. Don’t sell into the pressure they created. That’s the game.” Aljarrah supported this warning using ten years of market structure data.
The Cycle Is Currently Playing Out
Aljarrah posted a weekly logarithmic chart showing the total crypto market cap without Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins. Currently sitting at $479.49 billion, the chart tracks the altcoin market from 2015 to the present day.
It displays a distinct ascending channel spanning over a decade, where every cycle adheres to a two-phase pattern consisting of a decline/consolidation followed by an expansion phase.
They want you out before the next expansion. Shake the weak hands, then run it without them. Don’t sell into the pressure they created. That’s the game.
— Vandell | Black Swan Capitalist (@vandell33) October 31, 2026
A Pattern With Three Precedents
Three completed cycles are identified on the chart. Running from 2015 to 2018, the first cycle featured a prolonged consolidation base that led to a massive expansion. Spanning 2018 through 2021, the second cycle followed an identical structure as altcoins peaked at approximately $1.4 trillion.
Operating between 2022 and 2025, the third cycle saw the market bounce back from bear market lows and expand substantially, with XRP surging over 500% to reach a new peak during that timeframe. Momentum eventually began to slow down.
Every single expansion phase reached a higher high than its predecessor while remaining within the limits of the ascending channel. Over a decade of market data demonstrates the consistent repetition of this pattern.
Where the Market Sits Now
Right now, the altcoin market is going through a decline and consolidation phase. Prices have tightened toward the lower boundary of the ascending channel.
Based on the resolution points of past consolidations, the upper channel target for the upcoming expansion phase is projected between $3.4 trillion and $7 trillion. The current market setup mirrors the conditions that came before every previous expansion displayed on the chart.
Aljarrah’s Warning to Holders
The current consolidation is viewed by Aljarrah as an intentional pressure period meant to force retail participants out of their positions ahead of a major move. He urges holders to identify this pressure and push back against it.
As the altcoin market cap compresses, the ascending channel structure repeats for a fourth time. Because this pattern has not failed yet, Aljarrah argues that selling today means missing out on the historic altcoin rally that could be next in store for the market.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Vandell Aljarrah’s main message to XRP holders?
Aljarrah warns XRP holders that market declines are intentional pressure tactics designed to force retail investors out of their positions before the next major market expansion.
What does the altcoin market chart show?
The weekly logarithmic chart tracking the total crypto market cap (excluding Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins) displays a decade-long ascending channel characterized by alternating decline/consolidation and expansion phases.
How many prior cycles does the chart identify?
The chart outlines three completed cycles: 2015–2018, 2018–2021 (where altcoins peaked near $1.4 trillion), and 2022–2025 (which included XRP surging over 500%).
What are the projections for the next expansion phase?
Based on previous consolidations, the upper channel target for the upcoming expansion phase is projected to reach between $3.4 trillion and $7 trillion.
Explained in this article
Market capitalisation
The total value of a listed company, calculated as its share price multiplied by the number of shares.
It is the usual way to compare the size of public companies.
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A digital currency secured by cryptography and recorded on a blockchain, without a central bank issuing it.
Crypto prices are volatile, and governments are still deciding how to regulate it.
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The first and largest cryptocurrency, created in 2009, with a fixed maximum supply and no central issuer.
Its price swings and adoption by funds and companies make it a bellwether for the whole crypto market.
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A period in which market prices fall substantially, commonly defined as a drop of 20 percent or more from a recent high.
Bear markets often signal economic worries and reduce the value of investments.
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