This realization seems to indicate there can only be one coin that survives ....
I don't think this is the case. As a matter of fact, the open source character of crypto currencies, their similarity and the decentralisation and localisation aspects of multiple larger cryptos exactly fits the properties of this exiting new technology.
There will be more than one.
That is an opinion. But can you refute the logic I presented?
Logically it seems the coin must have a unique feature that requires holding in spite of a lower rate of appreciation, else it makes sense to trade for the coin that is appreciating faster.
For example, you might like the fact that a coin is CPU-only, but unless you believe that is going to make it appreciate faster someday, then it makes more sense for you to hold the coin that is appreciating faster, because CPU-only is only something you deal with when mining and has nothing to do with requiring you to hold the coin.