I had always thought of BTC in terms of an alternate currency but I watched a video yesterday with Saylor where he pitched it instead as a store of value. While the concept was not new to me, it was a really interesting video and he did a good job with it. BTC will not replace the dollar, but its probably going to eat gold.
What value does it provide?
What is the the underlying value if a dollar? Or euro?
On first sight, there is none. But when the IRS knocks at your door to collect taxes, you will need to cough up dollars. Or euros when you live in europe. Rubel, yen or gold won't do.
That provides the underlying value of the dollar. Or the euro.
Now what about BTC ?
When the ransomware hacker knocks at your door, you'll have to get bitcoin. Dollars or rubel won't do. That provides the underlying value of the bitcoin.