Javascript and Angular (along with http and css, which are also popular/easy languages) is what the Lisk blockchain application stack is made up of. There are many more Javascript/Node/Angular/HTML/CSS developers than any other programming languages, so the sea of possible programmers is bigger than other smart contract platforms. For example, cryptocurrencies with AT... hardly many people know assembly language, or Ethereum created it's own language hardly anyone knows (Solidity). Therefore, it is my opinion that any certain random developer can jump in and get started with Lisk easier than with Ethereum. I was sad to see Crypti crash and burn, but at least Lisk came in to take its place.
I also think that each blockchain application having its own side chain is an interesting concept. I have not dug deep enough in the tech, but it seems there will be some inherent benefits (security?) and drawbacks (convenience?) that come along with that. It is a different animal than Ethereum, just as most cryptocurrencies in the top 10-20 are all different, each in their own unique way. I am not saying it is any better than Ethereum, but I am not saying it is any worse either. I think both have great potential. It depends on a lot of factors, mainly what and when blockchain applications are developed on each platform. In my opinion, it deserves its place among the top cryptocurrencies because it has potential to be something great.
Maybe I am biased though... I have been learning Javascript/Node/Angular for making web apps, and I already know HTML/CSS decent enough, so I am excited to attempt to make a blockchain application one day using Lisk.
One last reason, and possibly the best one:
Lisk will soon be available on http://Yuanbao.com . Extremely nice people work there! Happy trading.
http://yuanbao.com/news/detail/?id=991
https://twitter.com/MaxKordek/status/745604704600612864
And just for those who never have heard of yuanbao, yet. It's not the biggest chinese exchange, but Factom did this when it was listed there:
The volume on yuanbao was higher than on Polo and the first day the price was twice as high in china compared to Polo - until there was enough arbitrage.