If Bitcoin is to survive, it needs to witch to DPOS and make the inflation rate something that can be voted on. That would solve all their problems at once: inflation, environmental footprint, funding of developments, centralization around ASICs makers etc. It's not even difficult since PTS already did the job of integrating DPOS. I think Gavin is quite objective on the fact Bitcoin is headed right into the wall, some spokesperson from BitShares should approach him to discuss what can he done. Maybe a weighted DPOS+POW hybrid approach with progressive shift to DPOS?