Good checklist, you’ve already nailed some of the biggest ones. A few more I usually watch out for:
   •   Overpromised partnerships → if a project keeps dropping names like “we’re working with Google/Microsoft” but there’s no proof, huge red flag.
   •   Liquidity locked? If the team controls the liquidity pool and it’s not locked, that’s an easy rug setup.
   •   Anonymous devs + aggressive marketing → that combo is almost always bad news.
   •   No real use case → if the only “utility” is pumping the token, it won’t survive a bear market.
   •   Copy-paste contracts → a lot of rug projects literally just fork code and don’t change anything except the name.

At the end of the day, if the tokenomics look like a trap and the community is just hype with no depth, I’d rather stay out. Too many “next big things” end up being the next rug.

Safest way to buy Bitcoin is usually through a reputable exchange like Coinbase, Binance, Kraken, or similar (depends a bit on where you live). They make the on-ramp easy, you can just link your bank account or card.

But here’s the important part: don’t leave your coins sitting on the exchange longer than necessary. Exchanges can get hacked, accounts can get frozen – “not your keys, not your coins” is a saying you’ll hear a lot.

For storage, you’ve got a few options:
   •   Hardware wallet (Ledger, Trezor, etc.) → safest for long-term holding, because you control the private keys and they’re offline.
   •   Software wallet (Exodus, Electrum, BlueWallet, etc.) → good balance for smaller amounts or everyday use.
   •   Exchange wallet → only for short-term (like if you’re actively trading).

Most people use an exchange to buy, then transfer to their own wallet (hardware if they’re serious about holding long-term).

Take it slow, don’t rush, and never share your seed phrase with anyone.

I think you’re right to be skeptical. Most altcoins really don’t survive in the long run, and a lot of them are just pump-and-dump projects with no real use case. That’s why I always say it’s better to review them constantly and get rid of outdated bags like Tron or EOS instead of holding and hoping.

Bitcoin dominance above 58% shows clearly where the real strength is. Even Ethereum, which is one of the stronger projects, hasn’t reached a new ATH yet – so expecting random altcoins to suddenly outperform is just dangerous wishful thinking.

Predictions about “altcoin season” always come around, but in the end, most people who chase those headlines end up losing money. Better to focus on projects with solid fundamentals and proven technology, not just news hype.