Coinbase is a joke, I hope in the future we don't need services like this, they should be free to test Bitcoin XT tho, even if Bitcoin XT is a direct attack against Bitcoin since people supporting it either dont understand it or have an interest in centralizing its nodes.
Then you agree that the Blockstream Vision is crap?
I am assuming this because of your statement that services like Coinbase won't be needed. Because if Blockstream has its way - that is really all there will be..... Fiat Banks running Sidechains, and the main blockstream limited to the point that you cannot spend your money directly on chain
(well, not freely like cash easily).
Because that is what the Blockstream Vision is.... Sidechains for Banks. And you will be forcd to provide full details on your life, accounts, everything. They will be linked into the various Government Tax Programs, reporting transactions etc.
The Blockchain Vision is MORE Centralizing that the XT Plan
(which I don't like in its current form either - but only because it is overly ambitious, overly rapid in a way that doesn't create an incentive for slower intelligent buildout).
Anyway, think of it this way.... Blockchain wants to BE the new Fiat VISA. They also want to be the New Federal Reserve System, and the New Inetrantional Monetary Fund. They decide all the macro economic decisions as to how the currency works, they design the blueprints that run all the transactions. I realize it is Open Source but they also have the jump on Industry. They not only want the biggest piece of the pie, they want to dictate exactly what kind of pie can be baked.
If you don't like Coinbase, then you can't possibly like Blockstream's solution. The difference with the Coinbase/XT solution is that Yes, their model is supported, but also Blockstream's Lightning is, and buying coffee. Blockstream is just arrogant.