'If Bitcoin has the most assets, why do Ethereum and Solana have more developers?' - A common challenge to the 'one dominant protocol' theory.

The answer lies in evolutionary stages. We're in the infrastructure/experimentation phase, where developers explore possibilities. But long-term value follows security and stability:

1. Early stage: Developers chase innovation

2. Middle stage: Market validates what matters

3. Final stage: Value consolidates around proven security

The surge in alt-protocol development mirrors the dot-com era experimentation. Just as Internet protocols eventually settled, value transfer will converge on the most secure and reliable base layer.

Security and reliability compound over time - they're the asymptotic qualities that win the long game.