## Signs of a Cryptocurrency Surge: Is a Bull Run Already Here or Just a Rally?

### Current Bitcoin Market Status: What’s happening right now?

Bitcoin is trading at $87.22K, up 0.24% over the past 24 hours, demonstrating volatility typical of periods of active interest from major players. On weekly and monthly timeframes, the asset shows a steady upward trend since September, attracting attention from both retail traders and institutional portfolios. The market is buzzing with questions: is this the start of a major bull run or just a local correction within a longer cycle?

### What does a bull run really mean, and how does it differ from a classic bull market?

The terms bull run and bull market are often used interchangeably, but there is a fundamental difference in their duration and intensity.

**Bull market** develops over months or even years, creating a stable upward trend. It signifies a fundamental shift in participant sentiment towards the asset, supported by long-term growth factors. Characteristics include high demand, investor confidence, and gradual but persistent price increases.

**Bull run** is a phenomenon of a different scale. It involves explosive growth in asset value over days or weeks, triggered by a sudden surge in interest, news, or expectations of upcoming events. A bull run can be the initial wave of a long-term bull market but can also remain an independent, short-term phenomenon. In the cryptocurrency sector, bull runs are especially dramatic due to high trading concentration and asset volatility.

### How to tell if a bull run has already started: what signals to watch for?

Experienced traders monitor several key markers indicating the beginning of a market surge:

**Trading volumes grow in tandem with price.** When prices rise on minimal volumes, it may just be a technical rebound. But if the increase is accompanied by a massive influx of buy orders, it indicates genuine demand rather than manipulation.

**Social media and media outlets heat up.** The crypto community begins actively discussing the market, search queries about cryptocurrencies spike, and analysts give optimistic forecasts. This psychological confirmation is a signal, though not entirely reliable as a basis for buying decisions.

**Major financial players join the game.** Statements about investments from well-known hedge funds, corporate purchases of cryptocurrencies, approval of new financial instruments—all these create sustained demand. In 2024, several large financial institutions confirmed their interest in digital assets, laying the groundwork for structural growth.

**Altcoins start rising after Bitcoin.** A bull run on the main cryptocurrency usually precedes the so-called altseason, when small and mid-cap coins show extraordinary results. If you see a wave of activity on alternative assets following BTC’s growth, it’s a reliable sign of the full cycle of a bull run unfolding.

**Technical indicators give positive signals.** RSI (Relative Strength Index) on higher timeframes for Bitcoin is currently in zones historically associated with the start of previous surges. Bullish crossovers of moving averages, chart patterns—all these tools point to an upward momentum.

**Regulatory changes favor the market.** New crypto ETFs, positive regulatory signals, approval by government agencies—such events fundamentally change perceptions of cryptocurrencies and open access to new categories of capital.

### Is a bull run happening right now?

Market conditions at the end of 2024 contain many classic elements preceding a bull run:

1. **A stable upward trend on larger timeframes.** Bitcoin demonstrates clear growth on weekly and monthly charts, creating the illusion or reality of a structural change in direction.

2. **Expectations of institutional purchases.** The market is waiting for regulatory decisions and new investments from major players. These expectations are already embedded in current prices, fostering a positive sentiment.

3. **Growing interest in altcoins.** Many alternative projects are showing significant growth, indicating that capital is expanding beyond Bitcoin itself.

4. **Technical signals appear bullish.** RSI and other indicators are in ranges that preceded previous bull runs, although such coincidences do not guarantee repetition of history.

However, it’s important to distinguish the prerequisites for a bull run from its actual start. A bull run is an explosive phenomenon, not just positive momentum.

### Where could the next target levels be if the growth continues?

If the current upward impulse persists and develops into a full-fledged bull run, the market could test resistance levels at **83,000** and **90,000** dollars per Bitcoin. These targets are not yet reached, making them likely benchmarks for the next wave of buying.

### The main warning: how not to fall into traps as a beginner?

A bull run attracts inexperienced investors with the promise of massive profits early on, but this attraction often leads to their downfall. Short-term price spikes are frequently just local jumps caused by speculation or coordinated actions of large players.

Those buying at the peak of euphoria without analyzing fundamental factors often face sharp corrections and lose most of their profits. Before entering a position, it’s essential to verify whether what’s happening is truly the start of a long-term trend or just a temporary acceleration of quotes.

A bull run can be unexpectedly short, and the pace of events in the crypto space can shock even seasoned traders. The simple advice: analyze not only the technical picture but also the news background, assess the likelihood of unfolding events, and never invest more than you are willing to lose.