Assuming for a moment that the path forward is NOT blocked by weird Federal legislation around the world, and that "blockchain technology" remains viable and cutting edge for many applications...

Given also that we are talking about the STEEM token here (not Steemit the social site) AND that Steem keeps getting top ratings by investment services because our blockchain is super fast AND that we potentially have "social developments" happening in terms of the development of SMTs... I would say that $16 is most likely reachable 1st.

But it's not going to happen quickly. Steem is becoming more and more of a "utility coin" than most of the investor market darlings, and I think that likely will reduce volatility because the purely speculative and rumor driven aspect will be lower. So when I say "$16 first" I'm thinking we might reach $7 by the end of 2018, $12 by the end of 2019 and $16 in mid-2020. Slow and steady, not fast and furious.

What will happen to Steemit — the social site — as part of that mix, I don't know. It may become of less and less importance as part of the overall picture... all depends how we take it and run with it. If the "community driven" influences manage to stay strong, we might thrive... slowly... and end up a stable blogging site with 4-5 million users by the time Steem hits $16.

I see the 16 cent scenario as much less likely... would require the ball to be dropped completely on SMTs, and for Steemit (as the "flagship front" for the coin) to become nothing but a pit of bots, scammers and spammers... in which case investors would see NO reason to hold Steem, and "real" content creators would gradually leave.

=^..^=