If so, then these British MPs should classify the stock market and securities as gambling.
I quite agree with you, because by definition, stocks and securities are gambling, even holding fiat in your hand or in the bank account is gambling as well since no one knows what could happen to its value in the next minute. Yet, I would want you to look at this from the angle of defence, those MPs were trying to back crypto rather than harming it, and that's why they came about it as "a form of gambling" to save it from more limitations through regulations.
They were trying to prove that crypto holders should be left alone to decide on their risk and fate rather than over-protecting them by regulations.
Your investment would be a gamble if you don't have any plans for it. Unlike with gambling, an investor could actually manage the risk such as putting a stop loss depending on one's preference unlike in gambling wherein once you bet n mount, either you lose or win.
You are making a very good point, and this makes it subjective. It's about how you own, use and trade your coin that would define it.
2. Take risky action in the hope of a desired result.
The second one seems to fit crypto best, so it's clear they know what they are saying.
They don't. If we take that definition by face value then;
• Investing in real estate,
• Buying any form of stock,
• Starting a business,
• Running for a political office,
• Even proposing to your partner.
All of the above should be considered as gambling and regulated as such.
They do not know what they are saying neither are they trying to understand it, they just want to slam some form of regulation on Bitcoin and are finding a way to justify it.
You are arguably right on this if we are going by the way of the second definition by the Oxford Dictionary which will go a long way in calling many other things, work and day-to-day activities of people gambling. I possibly don't know why it should go that far in the dictionary meaning.
If cryptocurrencies were officially regarded as a form of gambling and subject to regulation in line with that classification, restrictions or restrictions on cryptocurrency operations and investments could be introduced. This could include limitations on trading volumes, registration or licensing requirements for exchange platforms, and measures to protect investors from potential fraud or financial risk.
That's on the contrary, and I believe it's because many of you didn't read the full story. The MPs are defending cryptocurrency so that government would not think of it as you stated above and regulate it with many limitations.