The circulating rumors suggesting the imminent end of the "alpha" sector—the pursuit of early, high-yield opportunities like presales, low-cap gems, or specific short-term events—are likely overblown and premature.
Why "Alpha" Will Persist
Fundamental Necessity (Traffic & New Users): The primary function of "alpha" remains strong. It is an undeniable magnet for new entrants and vital traffic. Project teams, institutions, and key opinion leaders (KOLs) all benefit significantly from the hype and engagement it generates. As long as this remains a win-win system for market participants, there is no strong incentive for it to be completely shut down.
Market Cleansing is Normal: The current reality of diminishing returns and many retail investors getting "recycled" (i.e., losing money) is a natural and healthy market function. If every participant were guaranteed profit, the system would collapse. Profit requires a transfer of capital; when some gain, others must necessarily lose.
The New Profit Dynamics
The high-octane profit days from earlier this year (e.g., May or September), where quick, substantial gains (hundreds or thousands of U per month) were common, are likely gone for good.
The future of the alpha sector will look different:
Rare Big Wins: Major, high-return opportunities will occur only occasionally. Success in these will require a broader, long-term perspective, often translating into the willingness to hold or "bag-hold" the underlying asset for extended periods.
The Age of Marginal Gains: The vast majority of "alpha" plays will yield only small or minor profits, often just enough to break even or slightly cover operational costs. There will even be times when the losses outweigh the gains.
A New Filter for Quality Users (Binance's Perspective): Platforms like Binance are using the current state of "alpha" to actively filter and retain high-quality, long-term users, not just speculators looking for immediate cash-outs. The recent banning of accounts is a clear signal that quick-flip opportunists, especially those with minimal capital who are only seeking immediate returns, are being deprioritized or flushed out.
