I don't think anonymity is a fad. It's a requirement for digital cash.
+1. As businesses get into using cryptocurrency, they will make it an automatic requirement. No company is going to want to open its books to competitors, but that is what will potentially happen every time an accounting employee goes from Company A to Company B (or simply sells out for cash). That was a "light bulb" moment for me regarding anonymity - ALL SERIOUS ALTCOINS MUST HAVE IT going forward.
How does the lack of anonymity open the doors for competitors? Because now they can see how much a company is earning? Congrats; that does absolutely nothing.
Anonymity only serves to thwart the governments, which is what will lead to stronger regulation.