F- I didnt like seeing it on the list but for the sake of the argument it is a possible scenario, but there is really a small chance of this happening.
Actually, this is already happening and could result in Scenario F : a new "new economy bubble". Look at the zillions of altcoins already in existence. I've got some
Doges barking in my pocket (mobile phone) worth a couple of dollars.
Mooncoin, issuing coins by the billions, is still worth something. Even
Bytecoin, a complete 1:1 copy of Bitcoin and totally dead for a long period, is back and has always remained to have some value.
But don't take it from me, just
look it up yourself.
The altcoins already play an essential role in the adoption of cryptocurrency and the exploration of its use. I do not see it as a danger to the prospects of this technology, but as an essential requirement thereof. Money (currency) will be freely available, but the value will be established by the free market. Hell, even now you can already
buy your own altcoin for 100 mBTC.
I seriously think rpietila should create his own altcoin and use it for his services/endeavors as a token of trust/admiration/connection/whatever. To me, this rise of the altcoins
proofs that central command of money is not absolutely necessary for currency to work. Apparently, the concept of cryptocurrency has sufficient properties for the coins to be accepted as currency very easily. Of course, it's not that serious when its about fractions of a dollar, but the baby steps do not prove difficult. I bet non-tech people will have no problem using crypto in day to day life if the first 3 transactions clear and result in the groceries in their fridge. Apparently, the construction of agreement between participants that the coin has value is not that hard to achieve.
My exposure to Bitcoin is not as much as it has been. It may still rise to unbelievable heights but I see more value in the protocol itself and the use thereof that has not been established or even invented yet. Micro payments will be possible due to this technology and together with
contextual computing, decentralising tendencies and crowdfunding/working, will mark a change in how we do things and get paid.
Society is
moving from institutions (initially started as instruments) to
emergent networks. The way money works will change (or... is changing already) as well from token to programmable software.
All this combined, the options are limitless.
Personally, I don't see my current Bitcoin investments having any value by 2030!
Something much closer to the reality of tech than eternal faith in that what is now. Invest acccordingly.