If Steem Inc is not able to launch tokens, another project may do that. There are many dApps active and if they unite they could achieve that, either directly from Steem blockchain or creating their own fork.
For example there is the vaporchain protocol. I have not found any additional information about that so it may be just a smokescreen.
I agree about the development fund. Steemit client may charge some type of tax, that way the use of other clients would be promoted and the revenue can be used for development tasks.