Originally Posted by 420

It's hard to say if btc will retain it's authority. Bitcoin transactions are slower and cost more in fees than existing alts. So, it could be replaced by a new coin because of that.

It's nearly impossible to say what will happen in 5 years. On one hand, I can't see bitcoin ever being worth zero. Pennies perhaps, if regulations make it useless, but never $0. On the other hand, block rewards will half by then and I think the volatility will level out. I would guess the price hovers around $400 once that happens.

I pulled one more sentence out of my ass. I think it tops out at around $4000 each some time in 2017 and comes back down to today's level after a new alt gains authority.