There is one thing that i'm asking myself.
Why would we need NEM ?
It is absolutely blowing my mind , that there are people who think NEM will be their Bitcoin Rocketstart into wealth.
Why ? Because this time there a new people as Stakeholders ? Because the System is new , developed from the ground up and with another chance for catastrophic bugs or failures ? Is there really a need for another POS Coin ?
Baffles me and makes absolutely no sense in my mind...
(I'm also asking myself why we need NXT, but that is another story for another day.)
Technical wise, NEM could be a competitor to Bitcoin because:
1. an improvement in a core functionality: Proof of Importance instead of Proof of Work and traditional POS algorithm.
2. improvements in features: Bitcoin has been and always be very conservative when coming to new features. There are spaces open if users move beyond the simple currency functionality and want something else with blockchain.
3. Difference in design
I think you are very smart guy but many smart guys in tech do not fully grasp the dynamics of free market and competition. This article can help
http://marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2013/12/how-and-why-bitcoin-will-plummet-in-price.htmlcompletely agree with this. that article especially; it expresses my view spot on.
Another reason im not hopeful about bitcoin is the PoW model. Anyone who thinks the bitcoin gravy train can continue on a PoW model is just kidding themselves. same for any PoW coin.
in fact, it wouldnt surprise me if bitcoins current valuation is artificial anyway. the fact that bitcoin is not only horded by a minority, but also its hashing power is too, just demonstrates how "centralized" it is and, if anything, makes it just as bad - if not worse - then FIAT, as these parties are far more anonymous to begin with.