Could mainstream banking team up with a different alt-coin?

[Chronomagnon]

I've been thinking about different scenarios under which btc could 'fail'.

One of them is if a different alt-coin becomes more popular than btc.

What if banks decide that it's too late for them to get in on btc but decide to work together with another alt-coin and develop technology to get their existing userbase on board quickly.

Do you guys think this is possible?

[User705]

Banks are highly regulated so the scenario you describe is unlikely.  A government or a country might go that route but what would be the point when it means giving up control of its own currency.  Also why do you consider it too late.  Total bitcoin valuation is but a few billion.  Banks hold trillions in assets.

[Birdy]

Yes, it's possible that some country/bank union/inventor comes up with an altcoin that beats Bitcoin, will be tough though.
Bitcoin has the advantage of the first move+network effect and it also can also be upgraded to include new features.