Re: Automated checkpoints would make it centralized. We definitely will have checkpoints with each update through.
Also, what are your thoughts on "quicker blocks versus less storage for blockchain"? I don't think we need to continue the "litecoin is silver to gold" - I like a monetary base of around 20 million or even less.
With the quicker blocks vs storage, maybe make it so that each new wallet would have the option to go back maybe 2 checkpoints instead of to the beginning of the blockchain,with the possibility of deleting data earlier than 2 checkpoints ago when new checkpoints are reached. In addition to that, have a second option to include ALL blockchain history. With the first option, the client would take up significantly less space over time, but users could still keep a complete history if they wanted to by choosing the second option.
I agree that 20 mil is probably a better base. Making it the copper or platinum equivalent would make it easier for some to understand, but it's not necessary at all.