Not sure why you would say that when they are developing the protocol actively and introducing more efficient means of processing.   Price does not dictate success, its a good idea to keep in mind if its continually gaining or going down neither has to mean its less used which is the important bit.   Exchange speculation is an estimate of future trends and gets looped up in its own logic really.

All I think of the lower price is the effect of ICO deleveraging effects and the general tightening from BTC gains over alternate standards.   Its just a tide move, I'm more concerned with specifics to each protocol