Your simple brain has hit the nail on the head on the need to...

Your simple brain has hit the nail on the head on the need to convert Bitcoin to dollar in order to realise its value. And therefore as you said, it is nothing other than a tradable asset.

It is in fact not even functional as a cutting edge currency due to the fact, as I understand it, that the algorithm to confirm on the authenticity of a Bitcoin takes a few minutes. It is slow as compared to other newer technology such as hashgraph.

The other very worrisome thing is its history. No one really know who is Satoshi Nagamoto. I prefer the history of gold and how it is formed and the touch of a cool, solid gold bar!