The Wild West Needs Order

Without beating around the bush, if the world of crypto currencies is to stay for the long term there needs to be a shift in the community toward an even, fair playing field and a concerted effort to fringe the malicious and the ill-willing. In my opinion, this thriving "shadow" economic world needs the following changes, in no particular order:

• A complete security audit of all the tools needed to mine, trade and exchange crypto currencies. From the OS, mining software, GPU drivers, exchanges, etc. Currently the vast majority of participants are trusting in the good will of the people who develop and maintain these tools, but there's nothing to say that the linux distribution we are using doesn't have a backhole or a trojan. Same goes for mining software, wallets, etc. 
• An exchange network infrastructure. Currently all exchanges are disconnected and often prices completely out of sync. This allows for people with time and resources to exploit the price difference to their advantage.
• Faster way to confirm transactions. One of the theoretical advantages of crypto currencies is the minimal cost of transaction. However, this point is moot if it takes the network hours to confirm the transaction -- depending on the currency.
• Developers need to have a "covenant" with the community assuring the following:
• Zero changes that affect the coin after coin public release. 
• Only bug fixes and maintenance to wallets.
• Will not act as central banks and make monetary decisions after coin public release.
• Will at least stick around for 6 months after coin public release.
• Will make sure ALL required parts to use the coin are working before public release (i.e. wallets, miners, strata, etc.)
• A volunteer-based arbitrage board to resolve issues that arise between exchanges and their customers. 

If the issues above are addressed, the world of crypto currencies will attain wide acceptance and increased legitimacy with the "mainstream" economies. Until that happens, crypto currencies will keep being seen as a monopoly economy mainly used for illegal activities.