If ETH had its independent strength like you thought, it would have surged above $5,000 to at least show it's strength and how it can be independent of Bitcoin bullish movement. If you observe the price movement of ETH and compare it with Bitcoin movement during bull season, you will observe that Ethereum is usually slow and I guess it's because it needs to depend on Bitcoin for it to surge, just my observation, I could be wrong about that but I know for sure that ETH depend on Bitcoin. If you want to focus on altcoins right now, it should be to make quick profit during this period that some of those coins are pumped, if you buy to hold for a long term, you will blame yourself because dump will happen and after the dump, your altcoins might not pump again.