2026-01-11 21:30:39

Many traders are chasing mainstream coins like BTC and ETH, but there's a problem — the competition is too fierce. According to statistics, 95% of users are trading these mainstream pairs, leading to extremely high participation and relatively dispersed point gains.

In contrast, trading pairs with low open interest face significantly less competitive pressure. With the same capital investment, trading in less popular pairs can actually generate higher unit returns. This is why small market cap contracts are becoming increasingly attractive to traders looking to improve capital efficiency.

Take ZEC, a mid-cap coin, for example. Its recent trading performance has been quite good. Trading in these relatively obscure but still liquid pairs helps avoid the congestion of mainstream coins and prevents falling into deep liquidity shortages. This balance point is exactly what many savvy traders are exploring.

BTC2,13%

ETH1,28%

ZEC6,64%

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RugDocDetective

· 12h ago

Damn, 95% are playing BTC and ETH? Then I should do the opposite, obscure coins are the real gold mine. --- ZEC has recently risen, but is the liquidity really enough? Don’t dump the market and then can’t get out. --- Mainstream coins are just the battlefield for retail investors; small-cap coins are the game for smart people. --- Sounds good, but what about the risks? Dumping obscure coins is much more brutal than mainstream coins. --- This logic is interesting, less competition and higher returns... but something feels off.

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UnluckyMiner

· 17h ago

Wow, 95% of people are trading BTC and ETH, so maybe my obscure coins are easier to take off. The recent trend in ZEC is indeed good, with low liquidity traps but explosive returns—that's the real gameplay. Mainstream coins are too crowded, following the trend means queuing up; it's better to go where fewer people are mining for gold and making a fortune. Less competition is good, but watch out for slippage traps—don't jump into deep liquidity pools just for higher returns. Wow, so that's how others are playing it? I've been stuck on BTC, no wonder my returns are so poor.

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CryptoTherapist

· 01-13 22:00

ngl, this whole "escape the crowded trade" narrative is just cope dressed up as strategy. let me unpack the psychological resistance level here—you're experiencing classic market anxiety syndrome. everyone thinks they found the secret sauce with altcoins, but that's just your portfolio trauma talking.

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GasFeeNightmare

· 01-12 10:50

Chasing BTC and ETH are just for rookies to get exploited, I really mean it... Obscure coin projects are where the real hidden gains are, with less competition and higher returns. Everyone understands this logic but is reluctant to try. ZEC and other mid-cap coins... have been doing pretty well recently, quietly making money.

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MysteryBoxOpener

· 01-11 22:00

Everyone is chasing the hot trend, but they don't realize that the real profit is in the corners. --- The returns on mainstream coins are still about waiting in line; obscure pairs are truly where the hidden gains are. --- I had my eye on ZEC before; as long as liquidity is sufficient, I’m willing to go all in. --- 95% of people are fighting to get in, and the remaining 5% are the real winners. --- Instead of following the trend with BTC, it's better to find an unnoticed pair and trade aggressively. --- Low open interest products are probably riskier; don’t just look at the returns. --- This idea is good, but the premise is that you need to know how to select coins; otherwise, it’s awkward to be stuck holding them. --- The same principal amount can double in obscure pairs, but with mainstream coins, it just feeds the whales.

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MEVHunterX

· 01-11 22:00

Less popular trading pairs do indeed present opportunities, but the risks are also very high. --- Are all followers of mainstream coins just newbies? Not necessarily, but the returns are indeed diluted. --- ZEC? Sounds good, but I remain cautious. Sufficient liquidity does not equal no slippage. --- 95% are trading BTC and ETH, so I can just do the opposite? That logic is a bit too simplistic. --- Small-cap contracts have higher unit profits, I know that. The problem is, liquidation happens even faster. --- Less popular pairs are easier to make money on, but when should you enter and when should you exit? That’s the key. --- Smart traders are all looking for the balance point. So what am I, a retail investor, looking for? --- Sufficient liquidity is just superficial. Have you seen coins suddenly dump in the middle of the night? --- The same capital yields higher returns on less popular pairs? Just listen, don’t believe it outright. --- ZEC has been good lately, but can it last? There’s always a time when the market finishes its cycle.

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MetaverseVagabond

· 01-11 22:00

High returns on obscure coins—I've heard this claim too many times. And the result? Most people still get hammered to the ground. --- That's reasonable, but the premise is that you have to choose the right coins; otherwise, you're just gambling. --- ZEC? I advise you not to touch it; the risk is very high. --- There's a problem with that logic. Lack of liquidity is the real trap; don't be blinded by high returns. --- Got it, got it. You're saying just gamble on small coins, no need to beat around the bush. --- Small-cap contracts do have opportunities, but nine out of ten lose money. Don't ask me how I know. --- Is it true that mainstream coins can't compete because of high competition? Then learn the technology properly, don't make excuses. --- Wake up, high returns on obscure trading pairs are just a fantasy; the risk is real. --- 95% of people trade mainstream coins, so I should follow suit. Why go against the trend? --- I've seen coins like ZEC; they are indeed volatile. To achieve high returns, you need to withstand the psychological pressure.

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LightningSentry

· 01-11 21:58

Damn, 95% are playing with BTC and ETH? Isn't that just courting death? With such fierce competition, dreaming of making money is just wishful thinking. Altcoins are the real deal; capital efficiency is the key, brother. ZEC has indeed been doing well recently; I'm also watching it, just worried about liquidity being insufficient and suddenly unable to sell. Oh man, mainstream coins have too many pitfalls; I still need to find some vulnerabilities. I agree with this approach, but the key is to choose the right coins; otherwise, even obscure coins can cause you to lose everything. I think the mid-cap positioning is just right; it won't be too difficult to manage. Alright, time to readjust the strategy again, so annoying.

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SoliditySurvivor

· 01-11 21:57

Obscure coins sound good, but can they really outperform the risks... I'm still hesitant --- ZEC is indeed moving, but is liquidity really sufficient? The moment of face-slapping comes quickly --- 95% are focused on mainstream, but that 5% doesn't necessarily make money either, don't blindly follow the trend --- Small market cap contracts improve capital efficiency? I've heard this saying too many times --- The so-called balance point sounds like self-comfort before a loss --- Low competition = low attention = no one will save you when you can't escape, how do you count this? --- Truly savvy traders wouldn't dig pits in obscure coins --- High unit returns are indeed tempting, just worried they're all lessons learned

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RegenRestorer

· 01-11 21:42

Wow, 95% of people are just squeezing into BTC and ETH, no wonder it's so competitive... Niche coins do have opportunities, but be really careful with liquidity traps. ZEC? Give it a try, anyway mainstream coins are really not that interesting right now.

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