The ability to use the futures exchange and not have to set up digital wallets, etc, is a big factor. Relatively few non-tech geeks are willing to venture into the shark infested waters of digital exchanges and wallets. With futures it'll be open to everyone, and easy to go short too.
The Bitcoin chart has actually been orderly up until now, with big moves always followed by periods of consolidation lasting several months. That's healthy, but with the futures available, the swings could quickly go parabolic and then crash severely. The massive gyrations and lack of orderly consolidation could poison the well for all but the most crazed gunslingers and professional algo-bot traders of Wall St.
Looking out a few years, these cryptos will not be allowed to threaten the central bank issued currencies. The banksters can just legislate and regulate them out of existence. The central banks (and IMF itself) are actually planning to use DLT/blockchain technology as the basis for their own digital currencies, and will eventually crush Bitcoin and any other that threaten their monopoly.
But for now, the crypto casino is open for speculation. Just guessing, but 30 K looks possible in the current move, and then the shorts could crash it back down into the teens or to 10K. So crazy in both directions, and will be fun to watch :o)
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