According to @BullTheoryio, the Russell 2000 posted a new all-time high with its highest weekly close on record, indicating a return of risk appetite in small-cap equities, which often leads broader risk-on rotations (source: @BullTheoryio, Jan 18, 2026). The author notes that when investors move into small caps, flows frequently extend next into higher-beta crypto segments, making this equity breakout relevant for altcoin traders (source: @BullTheoryio, Jan 18, 2026). The author adds that TOTAL3, the altcoin market cap excluding BTC and ETH, sits just below a major resistance after a strong late-2024 advance followed by a sideways range since late-2025, mirroring the Russell 2000’s pre-breakout setup (source: @BullTheoryio, Jan 18, 2026). The author states that if the Russell 2000 holds above its breakout level, the next typical step is capital rotation from equities into higher-risk crypto, setting up an altcoin breakout as the next leg of the cycle (source: @BullTheoryio, Jan 18, 2026). The author suggests traders watch the Russell 2000’s hold above prior highs and monitor TOTAL3’s ceiling for a confirmation trigger on altcoin momentum (source: @BullTheoryio, Jan 18, 2026).