ASICS are never good for distribution
Is there a proposal to change the PoW algorithm?
In my opinion, since ethereum will go PoS, ASICs will be used with other ethash coins like ethereum classic, expanse and ubiq. For sure if they produce them it's because there's demand
AFAIK, Ethereum does not support the use of ASICs. Mining goes via GPUs that consume ocean of electricity. The last sets a limit to network. PoS eliminates this.
If, you look at the top 20 crypto-currencies, 65% are not using POW.
The success with investors, of this many non-POW coins, does lead most people to conclude that Ethereum will see a good (new paradigm) valuation improvement after the POS.
I agree that evolution will benefit. Tell me the topic was discussed by Casper and tests integration?
It was debated for a long time, mainly when investors wanted an early POS during 2017 on this ANN, but the Ethereum Foundation has always stipulated 2018 for POS.
Now, the statistics from the Top 20 crypto-currencies indicates that Ethereum will gain 2 new investors for every 1 POW miner lost after the POS is implemented.
Naturally, doubling investors numbers will result in an unknown (hard to calculate) increase in valuation.
However, Ethereum will keep nearly all of its POW miners investors, because people did quit mining in 2017 and they kept their investments in Ethereum.
Yes, it is definitely difficult to predict. The team and the network as a whole will have to prepare thoroughly for such a step.