@derrend  My obvious answer is:  if you "almost certainly know the future of XCH", then why bother participating in this thread?

My substantive answer is:  read my previous posts on this thread if you really want to know the value proposition for XCH going forward.  

As for XCP vs. XCH:
1.  Counterparty is painfully slow as it's on the Bitcoin blockchain (10 min. blocktime)
2.  Since XCP is on the BTC blockchain, there's tons of politics holding-back innovation (whereas Drak and Peter Todd have complete control over the Viacoin protocol)

XCH developments in progress:
1.  ClearWallet notary
2.  ClearWallet escrow
3.  ClearWallet digital asset transfer
4.  ClearWallet Colored Coins transfer (i.e. "real life" physical asset transfer)
5.  CustodyChains - proof of ownership and receipt for transfer of assets

These are spelled-out in detail in my other posts, and Drak also made some recent posts about them as well.  Each one of these innovations is a substantive advancement in blockchain technology (i.e. VALUABLE innovations that do not exist right now).

It comes down to active development and MEANINGFUL development, and Drak and Peter Todd are simply creating tools that will dramatically empower the users as well as eliminate inefficient (and dramatically overpaid) middlemen. (read my previous quote from Andy Kessler on why and how this creates wealth)

To reiterate - Drak and Peter Todd understand the big picture - ClearWallet is not an "end in itself", but rather a "means to an end" to ensure Freedom, Liberty, and personal empowerment in the 21st century and digital age.  It's a TRUSTLESS system where you are empowered with the tools to do things on your own and aren't forced to use the tools provided by centralized systems: banks, online retailers, lawyers, notaries, patent offices, escrow services...etc.