I am sure Bitcoin will reach $500 or even higher in the near future, taking into consideration the current low prices, which would hopefully prompt people to buy and drive prices up. A tead unfortunate for the folks that bought Bitcoin in November 2013 when it was $1300/BTC or about there. But there is hope. Bitcoin might go higher then $1300 each. Bitcoin to the moon! 
$500 is possible and even $1000+ and it can happen 3-5 years and up from now. But with a XT issue Im pretty sure it will take another couple of year to the suggested year. But still It will happen.
I saw your comment and searched in good about Bitcoin XT and found a coindesk article and in a paragraph says this:
Code:
Discussion of XT was recently banned on the most popular bitcoin subreddit, r/bitcoin, with moderator 'Theymos' claiming that as a fork of Bitcoin Core, XT should be classed as an 'altcoin' or a 'forkcoin', similar to litecoin.
I hope this be solves soon.