That's not an issue for me.  I'm never spending my BTC.  /s

I wonder why you think where it starts is where it ends.  I hope you are right.

As much as I might wish for it to never come to be, what is to stop a company such as amazon to grow a "voucher" coin into a more general form of payment.  Their limited purpose release is akin to a beta release.  Don't ignore the light at the end of the tunnel.

I'll put forth that this could be a good thing for BTC, as people could become more comfortable with cryptocoins in general. 

If we don't address some of the BTC market challenges, then I believe BTC could become marginalized.  I think that the BTC community and VC community are working hard to address the challenges. 

As I can't respond to the Amazon Coins thread in the main forum, I'm starting this one here.

There is FUD about BTC, but many will admit that there are challenges to actually converting fiat to BTC.  It is my experience that once someone gets his first BTC, he is hooked.  But that first step is a large one.

Enter Amazon Coins...  https://developer.amazon.com/post/Tx2EZGRG23VNQ0K/Introducing-Amazon-Coins-A-New-Virtual-Currency-for-Kindle-Fire.html

Like Ripple, they are giving away the coins, and unlike Ripple, Amazon is already established.

I predict Cryptocoins is going to be a long-tail ecosystem.  There will be many flavors of coins, but only a few will dominate.

Is BTC destined to be the underground cyptocoin, while today's industry leaders provide enough utility while offering some mainstream legitimacy?  If so, what is the realistic market share for BTC?
 

On the surface the newb restrictions seem like a good idea, but I wonder how well the work.  I hope that it improves the quality.  At a minimum, it encourages people to read a thread before jumping in with their .02BTC.  I hope that it encourages, or maybe even forces, more informed opinions in the forums proper.

Unfortunately, my research has left me with even more questions.  With so many alt-currencies, I wonder where things will go.  It certainly doesn't help clear up that 'confusion'.   The technology is fascinating.  Strike that - nearly every aspect is remarkably engaging to the imagination. 

Now there is a blast from the past!   Or was it TV Land?