Only OG bitcoiners like myself know the true value of decentralization. The rest only care about making money. It's this reason why centralized coins like XRP and BNB have been rising all the way to the moon. While XRP will never overcome Bitcoin in terms of market cap (nor price), it will continue to be hyped by influencers and whales over the course of its lifetime. Be aware that the odds of survival for a centralized "shitcoin" is slim. XRP would most probably get hacked, experience a government crackdown, or even become obsolete as the company stops funding its development (due to bankruptcy).
If you want something that lasts, choose Bitcoin on top of XRP any day. Why do you think no coin has been able to "beat the King"? Because it's not about hype or making money, but rather utility, security, reliability, and decentralization. Time will prove bitcoiners right, as altcoins such as XRP and BNB face their demise. Just my two sats.
Agree with you that bitcoin will last long, is more reliable and is the best choice for privacy lovers. But saying that because altcoins are centralized, they cannot last long is not entirely true.
As you have admitted, only OG bitcoiners know the value of decentralization and very few people need privacy, mostly for money. That means centralization will not easily fail or disappear, especially when they are backed by governments or large organizations. If centralization were to easily disappear or fail, stock markets, ETFs or fiat currencies would not exist for hundreds of years with the trust of billions of people.
I am not invested in XRP but I don't think it will die and neither will many other altcoins. They are centralized but backed, used and supported by governments and centralized organizations.
To date, leading financial institutions such as Santander, American Express, Bank of America, Guggenheim Treasury Services (USA)...and many companies around the world are using XRP and RippleNet. Not to mention, there are reports that 10 governments are partnering with XRP to create CBDCs…or Blackrock has filed for XRP ETF.
How will XRP fail?
https://www.thecoinrepublic.com/2024/10/16/200-institutions-including-bank-of-america-to-use-xrp-confirmed-in-judge-report/