A few months ago, I'd recommend your 3k fund to ETH @800-1000 dollars. Enough for 32 ETH to set up a PoS node and hold ETH for the long term. Now, 32 ETH cost more than that @1600 dollars. BNB could be a good alternative since they are backed by Binance. You can put half of your fund in it for staking reward and hold BNB for 1 year. Another half, just keep it ready for any good chance of coins going to dip in the market. Look for anything that has the smart contract layer.
Ethereum best alternatives option for short term trading or as long term investment, I think if he used all his fund $30,000 for investing with ethereum last months when price still drop on $1,000 he got almost 100% profitable, last several weeks ethereum price success break out above $2,000 before today drop back under $1,700. I think still not late for investing and trading with ethereum altcoin and $30,000 is bigger fund for trading or investing capital. Another option investing with $30,000 on BNB coin, I think most profitable when have new launchpad actually will make BNB raise to higher price again.