1.Bitcoin
Merit 1 - classic historical narrative (great story of the Mighty and anonymous Satosh)
Caveat 1 - oldet tech
Merit 2 - upgradable
Caveat 2 - hardest to get consensus (most people to convince) for the upgrade
https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/bitnodes-incentive-program-952996
Merit 3 - most users
Caveat 3 - Turtle block times
2. BitShares is not a gateway becasue there is no counterparty risk on the exchange unlike NXT, XRP, & XCP. BitShares works without counterparty risk like a first generation coin becasue it was born from one. Which leads us to Caveat #1
Merit 1 - Only Bitcoin2.0 coin that is not just a gateway to 1.0 (as explained above)
Caveat 1 - Everyone still thinks that it is a gateway
Merit 2 - you can purchase bitcoins on the blockchain that will pay you interest
Caveat 2 - it takes an Einstein or Vitalik to comprehend this Wizardry
Merit 3 - It never leaves the Top 5 on coinmarketcap.com
Caveat 3 - no volatility so nobody trades it (no fun)
3. GEMZ
Merit 1 - original tech
Caveat 1 - not available yet
Merit 2 - Paid referrals
Caveat 2 - Sounds like a ponzi pyramid
Merit 3 - Chicks dig the pink diamond meme
Caveat 3 - Boys hate the Pink Diamond meme
Now that I've shared my due dilligence, I hope to learn from other posters here who seem to be only capable of pumping 1 coin, and can never find merits in any other.
Great job thanks for you contribution