Interesting discussion, albeit somewhat lacking in serious ideas by many.
There are possible alternatives - sites such as CCBill which replace the traditional credit card processing and some of the newer Internet cash vendors.
It just takes a strong enough desire on the part of the producers. I would suggest that most of the major sites, judging by the quality of their product, were only in it short term for the $$$. The won't care about Visa, like c700, they got their initial money and now have abandoned everyone.
Eventually things will settle down with alternative forms of finance, most likely the Internet credits form of payment.