Recently, a subtle power dynamic has emerged in the market: mainstream tokens BTC and ETH are in a stalemate, while coins like ZEC and BCH have started to rise in succession. On the surface, this resembles a signal of the "alt season" arriving—retail investors are eyeing the expectations of interest rate cuts and soft inflation data, flocking into altcoins, with even many well-known traders in the circle publicly calling to sell ETH for altcoins.

But things are not that simple. Behind this wave of market activity is actually a scenario of "retail investor frenzy, institutional observation." Wall Street and the Federal Reserve are coldly watching the 2.7% inflation data, with the probability of a rate cut in January actually stuck at less than 20%. Many institutions seem to be bullish in the media, but quietly reduce their positions behind the scenes. They are well aware that a rebound built purely on emotion, without fundamental support, often comes fiercely and leaves quickly.

This presents a real dilemma: when the high volatility and high risk of altcoins become the norm, how can retail investors balance the scales between "chasing profits" and "protecting principal"? Going all in on altcoins can result in total loss after a sudden adjustment; completely avoiding them can lead to missed swing opportunities. The real test lies not in "which coin to choose," but in "how to maintain asset stability and risk resistance in a volatile market."

This is also why even in the most aggressive altcoin allocations, experienced investors will leave a portion of their position for stable assets. The value of stable assets lies here — they do not participate in the race of coin price fluctuations, but they act as a ballast during severe market turbulence.