if you hold coins or tokens that have good value but no trading volume in the market yes it is the same as dead coins or junk coins. the key to coins or tokens that have a future is to have a trading volume in the market, there are buyers / sellers. at this time many people get tokens that have no trading volume on the market and that is only for decoration in wallet only.
Well, if you really think that the coins/tokens you are holding has a future, or legit and that the development is ongoing as you can see some proof sending in the community, then better to wait for some time, as most of the project listing in free free in some exchange for them to tell people that they are developing and will still list on other top exchange, so let's just wait for some time to make it happen.
yes, not all coins or tokens that do not have a trading volume are dead coins. maybe development is not yet running or their market is not yet formed. it's very reasonable I guess because for new projects, of course, it takes time to strengthen their markets so they can make their trade grow.
but it's different if the developer doesn't provide updates to the community. it will be bad and you can leave such a project. because waiting for the development of the project that the developer itself has not responded is an activity that will not produce any results.