I'm really excited for the launch of the SALT platform. It'll be amazing to be able to use cryptos as collateral to access fiat loans instead of having to sell the cryptos altogether. This token has so much utility value, and being first to the crypto loan plate gives SALT a huge advantage in this greenfield market.
Instead of being worried about the theoretical post-release spot value of SALT, I'd instead focus on the intense utility value this token offers. Once cryptos reach mainstream adoption, the SALT platform will attract so much network effect. When millions of dollars are being borrowed through the platform the spot token value will go through the roof.
Regardless of the spot price, a major bulk of the utility value is still on the pump-n-dump structure.
On economic utility, it has very little.
The whitepaper mentioned a cash repo market value of over $1 quadrillion, but most of this figure will not be directly related to the token holders.
The ones standing to benefit much from this may very likely be the tokens/digital assets that can be traded at Shapeshift, including the SALT token itself.
This is why I said it is a pump-n-dump structure.
People that will borrow and lend will not be using the money for economic productivity, i.e. opening factories, setting up shops, etc.
Instead, the money will be used for pumping up the token/digital asset used as collateral for loans.
And this can be anything traded in Shapeshift, be it bitcoin, ethereum, tenx, omisego, bancor, etc, including SALT token itself.
Lots of money can (and will be) made, but this is no less a sinful activity.
Definitely not an honest business.
It is not an honest business because whenever a token/digital asset is being pumped up, lots of hypes will be promoted and sold to gullible participants.
Those people believing in the hype will lose their money.
Of course in trading/investing, losing money is normal.
But losing money to hype is not the same as losing money to a valid business.
Losing money to a valid business can be recovered in time.
Losing money to a hype cannot be recovered, except thru the next round of pumping and hyping.
So it is like a sin that can only benefit the perpetrator if it is being continuously perpetuated from time to time.