"incentivization for the routing hardware" - bingo. running a blockchain isn't cheap.

"they are realizing their path to monetization and a return on the large investments they've raised, is very difficult" - they obviously didn't have their Accountant or Tax Attorney review their Business Plan very well, if at all.

"anyone (especially if they have capital and don't need an immediate return) can show up and spoil their path to making money" - spot on.

"This is what @theycallmedan sees happening: a Chase bank or an HSBC stepping in with $30m and becoming the best free routing node on Lightning" - exactly. I see that issue being very similar to the mining pool cetralisation issues. whoever can afford to buy (or even manufacture) the biggest baddest mining hardware wins, in most cases.

"the core function of making rapid payments denominated in BTC seems lacking to me" - ditto

"existing payment systems" - if @blocktrades bridge supports it, then PalmPay supports it automatically. i actually see/hear of more people using Hive, BTS and BCH though than any other point of sale currency used. they're fast and free (in the case of Hive at least). merchants don't have the patience for any transactions taking more than a few seconds and they're damn sure tired of all the fees they've paid to credit card companies.

Hive is where it's at when it comes to the point of sale.

You have our Support Brian! ❤️