I think you are right, once the Altcoins become free to convert to fiat without conversion to the Big 4 being Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin and Ethereum, those Altcoins will become free of that bond. It is great with those big boys are surging, but they can become an anchor in a bear-ish market.
Honestly, I think it is going to be hard to break those bonds because so much can revenue can be skimmed via the transaction fees. Money talks as wise man once said.