The End of Deposits as we know them

 The End of deposits as we know them.

I was surprised this morning to read, that The DPS had been axed by the government back in early September.

I know Capita had taken over, then pulled out about 6 months later, but the closers of The DPS really had been kept well and truely under the radar.

All deposits currently protected by DPS have been taken over by MyDeposits, so does this mean we no longer have a FREE scheme for landlords to protect tenants deposits in? It would seem so.
Also MyDeposits have recently changed their policy on how deposits are protected and will automatcally unprotect deposits when a fixed term comes to an end, this means landlords will need to reprotect within a set time line to avoid the penalties and of course pay the cost of reprotecting.

So with less competion in the deposit protection market and as far as I know both remaining schemes charging landlords, will this spell the end of the Deposit up front?

Will landlords want to pay to protect the deposit, which is taken because its what is don't rather than a legal requirement.

I wonder if we will shortly see an increase in insurance schemes and deposit bonds as an alternative to cash deposits, have the government in their hast to make a quick buck actually shot themselves in the foot and signed the death warrant for deposits as we know them.