Having WDC --> USD will not help the price most likely. Any increase should already be factored into the price based on the Efficient Market Hypothesis.

The one worry I have, is that direct exchange will actually lead to devs taking their money out. They now have extremely easy access to getting USD with their alt currency.

I think for WDC to succeed it really has to innovate, and fast. Other existing coins (PPC, LTC, QRK) are shooting up in terms of community growth and development + there is competition from new coins everyday (COINYE and random ones that draw money out of existing cryptos).