Based on the last 6 months, I've came to conclusion there are generally 6 types of alt coins. Most can lead to a good profit, but eventually only several will get stay for long.
List below - anyone can see which coins fits were - of course there will be exceptions - the trick is just to stick to the winning strategy.
1) Scam shitcoins.
Summary: Mostly clone code with very minor changes and outstanding marketing. Scam through IPO or big premine
Miners: Major interest. 99% of those who mine loose. Profit only for the ones who manage to sell before developer dumps when coin hits exchange
Investors: Some interest. 99% loose money
How to win - avoid.
2) Quiet shitcoins.
Summary: Mostly clone code with very minor changes and little to no marketing.
Miners: Never got a major interest. 99% of tose who mine loose. Lucky ones who manage to sell may make a small profit.
Investors: Never got interested. No pump. Only few trades, those who buy loose.
Price: None/rock bottom.
How to win - avoid.
3) Pump & Dump Shitcoins.
Summary: Mostly clone code with some changes and good marketing.
Miners: Major interest. 90% of tose who mine loose. Those who have no illusions and sell around the first and only pump - make an excellent profit - especially if mined early.
Investors: Major interest, Pump & Dump. Those who have no illusions and buy very early and sell around the first and only pump - make a good profit.
Price: Steady and rapid decline after initial Pump & Dump.
How to win - mine/buy early, sell without hesitation before/near peak.
As always, better safely sell at 80% peak than hold to long and be left with a bag of crap.
4) Investors (shit)coins.
Summary: Mostly clone code with some changes and excellent marketing (rapid reward decline, limited PoW phase, PoS only, catchy name etc.)
Miners: Mainstream interest - unless pure PoS. 99% of tose who mine loose. Those who mine and wait until slow pump gets on the good levels, make a good profit.
Investors: Mainstream interest. Constant attempts to shift the floor up until the investor/marketing potential is exhausted. Slower decline, crucial to buy early to profit but a good windows to sell.
Price: Slow Pump & Slow Dump.
How to win - mine/buy early, hold but carefully. Watch out for the twitter. Usually when "pumper" encourage to buy, that's the time to get out.
If you see the coin first time on a pumper twitter feed, it's usually too late for a decent profit, and could be very risky.
5) Real alternative coin - lacking marketing
Summary: Major change and interesting, new innovations. Lacking marketing.
Miners: Minor to major interest. Most of those who mine win. Selling too early is a safe way to profit - if the innovations are not enough (along with lacking marketing) to spark interest, however if successful can lead to expotential profits.
Investors: Mediocre interest. Minor pumps. Those who buy in very early are guaranteed good profit, again, if successful can lead to expotential profits.
Price: Steady with possible pump/attempts, but resisting to it
How to win - as (4) mine/buy early, hold but carefully.
6) Real alternative coin
Summary: Major change and interesting, new innovations. Good marketing and strong community
Miners: Major interest. All of those who mine win. Selling at any level gets profit, but holding can lead to expotential gains.
Investors: Major interest. No clear pump & dump, prices more stable than any other group. Buying at any level can lead to expotential profits.
Price: Steady with possible pump/attempts, but resisting to it
How to win - just find the right coin and get in.
Unfortunately DarkCoin is of category 5. It is new and innovative. But there's no real marketing. While it is the first coin with X11 and DGW other coins with better marketing benefit from its innovations.
This coin is now nearly 3 months old and most of this enormous thread is about new logos and possible name changes.
I think there should be a clear statement from Evan against all this rumours about possible premine in the OP as well as on darkcoin.io.
I know there's been no premine and so on, but there will always be people like e.g. reda who heard of it and will be uncertain if it's the right coin to invest in.
Just my 0,02 DRK.
