The ability to transfer stored value is extremely valuable in and of itself. Bitcoin can be used by anyone and everyone who has an operable x86 computer and Internet access. The same can not be said for any other currency of which I am aware. Creative children could go into business for themselves. They can raise capital just by running Bitcoin on their computer. They can exchange their bitcoins for a local currency by exchanging with someone who has a PayPal account. They can accept payments from anyone around the world and ship their crafts around the world using the postal system. I can just imagine a child trying to get a $5.00 business loan from their local bank. Hahaha!
Without any true buying power, any currency will eventually fail. Without true buying power, no exchanges can flourish, nor will it be very profitable to run an exchange, if profitable at all. Currently, Bitcoins have very little to no buying power.
Btw NewLibertyStandard, in your discussion forums, it says:
2. RE: Because some people are not satisfied with the status quo.
Dec 9 2009, 1:09 AM EST | Post edited: Dec 9 2009, 1:09 AM EST
Some people want to organize political resistance without attracting attention.
Some people want to transmit value in trade for drugs and weapons.
Some people don't like banksters in their business.
This is a fast route to being shutdown by the law, just by mentioning it. Knowledge of potential illegal activity is what ultimately has gotten e-gold and other e-currencies shutdown in the past. E-gold made notations of potential illegal activities on accounts and it was used to make claims against them enough to shut them down.
"In 2007 the proprietors of the e-gold service were indicted by the United States Department of Justice on four counts of violating money laundering regulations. In July 2008 the company and its three directors pled guilty to charges of "conspiracy to engage in money laundering" and the "operation of an unlicensed money transmitting business" in the U.S. District Court for D.C. The company faces fines of $3.7 million."
Because criminals were using their services and they were either unable or unwilling to prevent it. They were brought up on charges of money laundering. As far as currency exchanges go, they all must be licensed and conform to strict regulations and standards. The more negative attention drawn to this currency and the exchanges, the faster they will be fired upon metaphorically by the US government.