It is already taking a long time for Mr Icebreaker to come and celebrate that Monero has overtaken Dash in Coinmarketcap.
Congratulations to Dash masternode holders, new ATH
Why is more locked away coins ( over 50%!) a celebration?
it demonstrates the confidence of the holders, and strengthens the network.
Everything is being prepared perfectly for the moment in which evolution becomes a reality.
A currency that accumulates to obtain future returns shows that its growth expectations are enormous.
No other currency can say the same.
It could also soften the price fluctuations somewhat, making easier for Dash to function as a useable (crypto) currency for merchants and users.
Also the combined masternode collateral (over 50% of circulating supply) is not exactly locked away as farfiman mentions, it should be seen as "reserved"
which at any time can get transferred to an exchange to be sold. Of course the rewards that masternode owners get from running a masternode
(8.15% Dash annual), provides a strong motivation to just hold them.
And last but not least : an increase in the number of active masternodes = an increase in longterm investors