A good bull run for the top 20 cryptos will fix things also for STEEM as some of those gains will be re-invested.

Not once have I read recently this point of view regarding big cap alts being favored at first during a bull run and somehow I tend to believe it is true. The most X gains that one could have though is still possible through some "cheap and hot" altcoin that gets a bit of advertising at the right time. Steem at the moment, in my opinion, has a weak to almost no professional advertising. People like Ned sold and continue selling at probably the worst time in Steem's history while leaving somehow the project behind. The work is still on the backs of the blogging ants that are still active over years.