If not for the reputation that Bitcoin has built over the years as a store of value, memecoins scams would have dragged crypto reputation into the mud. Memecoins are no different from Ponzi schemes, left for then alone cryptocurrency would have collapsed. But thanks to Bitcoin reputable, the name cryptocurrency still holds value.
Yes bitcoin is indirectly the reason why altcoins are surviving in the market. People look at how bitcoin price went from $0 to $100k over the last 10 years plus and they want the same result by investing in shitcoins. It’s ridiculous but it’s the truth. Shitcoins are still popular because of human greed, people just want to get rich overnight.