I feel that the core user base will grow younger over time instead of in the other direction.

Yes, but the core investor age that buys into Steem will likely be older, while the younger earn on SMTs.

100,000 Steem Power is only $15,400 today, and a lot of younger people can find that money or quickly funnel it into crypto holdings.

You'd think, but it isn't the case and when there is risk involved, many aren't likely to put anywhere near this kind of money in, as we can see from the last two years.

but it doesn't take long when there's a will

THis is the issue for many.

Heck, even a yearly bonus for many can cover that, which a lot of younger "aware" people could presumably be waiting for to drop into crypto.

You think a yearly bonus for a 20 something is 15K?