Bitpay made an interesting comment back in February 2013 --
https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/is-competition-healthy-for-bitcoin-140906 (quoted below)
Yes, competition is good. The Bitcoin community should work hard at making Bitcoin as good as it can be to ensure the network effect takes hold and makes it as difficult as possible for an alt-coin to gain market share. This doesn't mean that an alt-coin would ultimately have to cease to exist, it just means that Bitcoin should capture the bulk of the new adopters of digital currencies such that Bitcoin enjoys a better growth rate (and hence, appreciation in value) than these competitors. The altcoins could still exist and serve some niche markets.
Is it likely bitpay etc. could offer checkout in any alt-coin of choice?
Yes, but not in the way you think. Here's some insight into our thought process on this question: Bitcoin is currently the most secure method of electronic payment on the planet. The network of miners is what provides that security and today it vastly exceeds that of any altcoin. Bitpay will use the most secure and private payment method available for the actual transaction. But that doesn't mean you couldn't use Litecoin, you just need a wallet that can automatically exchange Litecoin for Bitcoin just prior to a transaction.
Should something disastrous happen with Bitcoin and Litecoin became the most secure method of payment, we would transition to using Litecoin for the payment mechanism (and then you would need to exchange your Bitcoins for Litecoins just prior to conducting the transaction).So, when I think about Litecoin (and the other alt coins), I think of it in terms of:
- providing that competitive pressure to Bitcoin that you allude to
- being a contingency solution should something disastrous happen to Bitcoin
- being of some utility for people that might like to have transactions that aren't visible on the Bitcoin blockchain