Blockchain performance and scalability issues will have to be resolved for cryptocurrencies to become a truly viable means of payment. Hoard offers an ingenious solution to this problem by sidestepping the blockchain for the main transactions, while still using it to ensure good behaviour. Its approach is certainly experimental and relies on its technology and token economy working as desired.
@Catswold - really appreciate the post. Hoard might not have any Merit on BTC Talk but we clearly have merit in developing usable applications and scalable protocols.