[vannevar]

>...I really don't think there's anyone involved in crypto that is deliberately "winning".

I believe that bitcoin began as a straightforward "pump and dump" scheme, dressed up in a techno-libertarian narrative to appeal to its intended marks, young tech males with disposable income. As the size of the market has grown, I suspect the original cartel holds a smaller percentage of the outstanding supply, but I'll bet it's still enough to move the market deliberately when they choose.

[Ekaros]

I don't think it began as such, but as idealistic toy or proof of concept project where no one actually run the numbers to end goal. Then at some time it went to get rich quick loop, with some ideologues in mix.

[eric_cc]

Late stage bitcoin is:

It's trustless, sound money and therefore better than my bullshit fiat.