The surge in the price of $ALT today can be attributed to a confluence of factors, reflecting both market dynamics and specific developments within the cryptocurrency ecosystem:

1. Market Sentiment: The crypto market often moves in waves of sentiment, where positive news or developments in one area can lead to a bullish trend across various cryptocurrencies. If there's been a general uptick in the market due to positive news like regulatory advancements, major company adoptions, or macroeconomic factors favoring cryptocurrencies, $ALT could be riding this wave.

- General Crypto Market Optimism: The crypto market's sentiment has been increasingly positive, with Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies showing significant gains. This optimism often spills over to smaller cap tokens like $ALT.

2. Technical Analysis: If $ALT was showing signs of breaking out from resistance levels or entering a bullish pattern on charts, this could trigger buying interest.

- Breakout Signals: Posts on X might have highlighted chart patterns like a falling wedge breakout or other bullish signals, which traders often interpret as buying opportunities.

3. Short Squeeze: There's mention of high short interest in $ALT, which could lead to a short squeeze.

- High Funding Rates: Short sellers paying high fees to maintain their positions might have been forced to cover, pushing the price up due to increased buying pressure.

4. Increased Trading Volume: High trading volumes often precede or accompany significant price movements.

- Liquidity and Interest: The mention of $307 million in 24-hour trading volume indicates strong market interest, which can fuel price increases due to the liquidity it provides.

5. Social Media Influence: The social share of $ALT jumped significantly, indicating a buzz around the token.

- FOMO Effect: Social media can amplify price movements through Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO), where investors buy in because they see others doing so, regardless of fundamental reasons.

6. Specific Developments or Announcements: Sometimes, a specific piece of news directly related to the project can cause a price surge.

- Airdrop Announcements: Information from X posts indicates an upcoming airdrop for $ALT, which could be driving interest. Airdrops can increase token distribution, potentially increasing its value if perceived as a valuable asset.

- Partnerships or Integrations: Any announcement regarding partnerships, new features, or integrations with other blockchain projects could significantly boost $ALT's utility and, consequently, its price.

7. Market Dynamics and Speculation: The crypto market thrives on speculation.

- Speculative Trading: The anticipation of future price increases due to upcoming events like halving or ETF approvals can lead to speculative buying, pushing prices up in anticipation of these events.

8. Perceived Undervaluation: If the community believes $ALT is undervalued compared to its peers or its potential, this could lead to buying pressure.

- Comparative Analysis: Posts suggesting $ALT's undervaluation compared to similar projects might encourage investors to buy in, expecting future alignment with its perceived value.

The combination of these factors - from market sentiment, technical analysis signals, to specific project developments - likely contributed to $ALT's price surge. However, it's crucial to understand that while these reasons provide context, the crypto market's volatility means such rises can be as much about speculation and market psychology as they are about fundamental developments. Always approach crypto investments with caution, understanding that while the potential for high returns exists, so does the risk of significant losses.