[alert0]

First quote isn't exact, so I'm not sure what you're addressing.

If you buy properties not for self use, you can hold them indefinitely and have an income stream. If you buy a share of a company and hold it indefinitely you can have an income stream. There is no equivalent in cryptocurrencies. You buy it and hope you can sell at a later date for a higher price.

Investing versus speculation.

[galaxyLogic]

I agree. I think it's worth pointing out that investing in crypto-currencies is really no different from investing in any currency say Euro. And when you have money in a US bank-account you are (typically) "invested" in US Dollars. But see below, that really is not investment, but speculation.

Investing in a currency/cash is speculation in the sense that currency itself does not produce anything but its value can go up and down. Investing in a currency is like investing in roulette in casino, you may win and you may lose.

So, keeping your money in bank for ~0% interest really is gambling/speculation too.

But, from the point of view of the individual investor it does not matter if you are "investing" or "speculating". In both cases you may win and you may lose.