[falcolas]

One problem with this - speculative assets are at least partially valuable because of their volatility - their ability to appreciate quickly. Even if eth is untrusted for long term value, so long as it has the potential to make money for someone in the short term it's going to continue to get transactions.

And, as always, sometimes folks just want to watch the world burn. It's a relatively low investment (~$50k) to become a validator, and the fine's only about $7k (.5 eth).

Imagine the damage someone with a few million (say, some baby-boomer who just sold their California duplex) could do if they wanted to.