With upcoming EIP, Community and SMT release, Steem will be a complete package for DApp developers by the year 2019. However, DApp with TOKEN can already be built using SCOT through @steem-engine. Probably we will have two systems SMTs and SCOTs running together. One will be cheaper but less professional, the other will have a cost attach to it due to professional service. 

Building a node for Steem (e.g. witness or exchange) is already cheaper than ever due to MIRA update. Currently there are are more than 220 witness nodes for Steem. But some witnesses were used to be struggling to maintain a node due to the high cost of RAM. With MIRA update they are able to switch to commercial SSD cards to make cheaper nodes. 

The number of witness nodes may increase with the increase of Steem's price in future. The end result is that Steem will be more decentralized than ever.

SMT like Tokens already are launched through @steem-engine. PAL, LEO, SCT, ENG, SPORTS are already building the future mega token exchanges (@steem-engine) where tokens from all major blockchains can be traded. However, the main currency will stay as Steem. 

There are already more than 100s of tokens on @steem-engine. Any DApp can launch their tokens, front-end blog and vlog site (i.e. scottube) and distribute through crowd-sales or airdrop. 

We already have seen crowd-sale of HUNT token with successful Initial Exchange offer (IEO) from @steemhunt. We have also seen successful airdrop of PAL and LEO tokens. 

With SCOTS, users can already upvote each others with their favorite TOKENs in DApps. It is increasing both transactions and activities in Steem chain significantly. SMTs will create another tool for TOKEN and DApp creation.

![Steem Economy Value Flows-v2.jpg](https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmUketMTBrw9Eipagd7hBnMctXQamDC2QXrKGknAvDXveR)

[Image reference](https://steemit.com/steemit/@evomimic/steemit-ecosystem-at-a-glance), courtesy to @evomimic


However, storing large files such as videos is still a big issue. Steem blockchain usually hold a link to uploaded video rather than the video itself. Therefore, DApp has to provide a cloud service for videos or large files to be stored indefinitely. 

In future, Steem based DApps will need Filecoin like token for keeping users videos forever. It will be like Dropbox service, certain amount of storage will be free but after that users have to pay through Tokens. However, users will earn tokens by their other activities. 

Large video files can be hosted using IPFS protocols as a cheaper option than centralized, expensive cloud service. A decentralized data centers using IPFS will usher a new era of computing, storage and bandwidth for (decentralized) applications (DApp).

Today's centralized Apps have too much options and features through selling the data of users. Most cases, data of users are misused. Moreover, profit from data sell is not shared users. Still users stick to service since it comes at no cost and have lots of features or options. 

However, Tomorrow's DApps will have similar features and options with no cost but profit sharing option with the users. It will be more lucrative for the end users to use DApps than Centralized Apps. Moreover, data will be not be misused or controlled by the central authorities. Users will have more control over their own data or they can sell them for tokens. 

Steem is already ushering a new economic paradigm coined by steem co-founder @ned, tokenizing the Internet. Any valuable activity is tokenized and will be tokenized. Tokens have values. DApps will share their profit with users which is better option than free Apps with caveats. Steem is the pioneer of this kind of decentralized ecosystem.  It is poised to lead this decentralized ecosystem by tokenizing the world on its 3rd year!

Only agony is that price of Steem which is lagging behind though there are tremendous developments taking place. It may also mean a buying opportunity. Everything comes to the mean. Price will revert to the mean in commensurate with the developments. It is the darkness before the sun rise.

**Disclaimer: This opinion is not a financial advice, it my personal perspective and opinion. Please seek professionals for financial decisions.**


<center>![steem_speed.jpg](https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmQ4ZN5XNpqQdTgiuHXJmd5WyGnF4obzRWFPhY4eyqLkYf)
</center>


Image sources: Most images are open sourced (e.g. Pixabay, Wikimedia etc.) with Creative common license. Some images are used with due courtesy to respected owners.

Thanks for reading.
@dtrade
Cryptominer since 2013, occasional trader and tech blogger