Centralized, wont possess the same strengths as bitcoin. This is good news though coins like this are a gateway drug to the real thing.
People/Companies/Governments are just trying to jump on the bandwagon by introducing "one of those new digital currencies that are all the craze at the moment" if you ask me! It really doesn't offer the advantages of decentralization. If your "gateway drug" theory holds true, well maybe... time will tell!