There are those (particularly from the monero community) who assert It was designed that way from the very beginning with the insta(fast)mine right at the project launch followed by the decision to lower the amount every to be created. This is where the scam tagline came from that plagued dash so much in the early years. To support dash you always had to have faith these events were honest mistakes not preplanned.
I do think dash had potential given its self financing to be a real force it has seemingly taken a different path.
It's possible. I always give the benefit of the doubt ... and Duffield's approach, coupled with his insistence on Shared Mnodes, was splendid.
About the thieves who corrupted it, there is no doubt. Fuck themselves ... well screwed.