Seems to me the Bitcoin futures would work as yet another piece of confirmation that the entire crypto space is "legitimate" on a greater scale than just to a few weirdos. And that would have to be good for at least some of the alt coins, as well.

But I am guessing it will also mean that the issuers of alt coins better actually have some sort of "plan" when they have their ICOs. With greater scrutiny, someone issuing coins simply because "cryptos are hot" will probably get a serious downside surprise. It's one of the reasons I like Steem... there's "something here."