[xg15]

I'm with you, only I kind of wonder how many people actually see them as actual currencies. In any case I don't think that prospect is what is fueling the current hype.

I remember an article a while back that was arguing that Bitcoin is currently undecided whether it wants to be a currency or an asset. Currently, coins seem to be treated mostly as assets and I don't see indicators of that changing anytime soon.

[feedjoelpie]

IMO the problem with Bitcoin as an asset, over the long term, is that its proponents' nearest comparison is gold. Gold has at least _some_ intrinsic value, and more importantly it has millenia of history as both an asset and a means of exchange. If Bitcoin doesn't get off of Proof of Work, it's entirely plausible that it will be superseded by a Proof of Stake coin that has more utility.

Which is not even to mention my most cryptocurrency-controversial belief: Gold is the only deflationary asset that might not flash-crash into non-existence as a hoarder favorite.