at the very beginning of creating cryptocurrencies, people did not mine because it was profitable, or Vice versa is not profitable.
People have mining because it was easier to earn them on your computer than trying to find exchangers that did not have a special rating. And in order not to spend money back then, what is not quite clear from the prospects (about them then no one thought, all treated as a toy) then just run their computers and get what could be sold at least for a penny. Then there may have been alternate transitions of profitability from mining to purchase and Vice versa. Now, due to the availability of liquidity in the market, this difference is no longer catch. And there is already included another evaluation. Perhaps there is free electricity, or cheap equipment. If not-it is easier to buy and have in hand liquid money that can be withdrawn and secure at any time. With the equipment in the event of a collapse of the course can not do so. So the risk is more.
I'm for the coins just buy and hold. Will be more .