To me what backs a cryptocurrency is the absolutes of mathematics combined with
1)Utility
2)Usability
3)Scalability
For these reasons my trust is not on BTC but Alt-coins that are far more scalable and provide a wide range of services (say.... EOS or NEM) or provide the same service faster, cheaper and privately like Dash, PIVX, XVG.
The only advantages BTC has got are brand and wider merchant adoption. Out of "Currencies" my definitive HODL is Dash.
I agree that there are lots of alt-coins which claim to have faster transactions and more scaleability than BTC.
I really don't think any one is buying BTC, Dash or anything else with the idea that one day they will buy a cup of coffee with it. They think of it like Gold and Silver. They just want to own it, and that's it.
That'd be like only using the internet for E-mail and web pages. Blockchain is a quantum leap similar to the dot-com boom-bust-prosperity. Dash and similar products will make banking look like professional photography. Banks will exist but will cease to become a major part of the economy. An even better analogy would be the British Royal Family.
I've gone on record saying BTC will be under $500 before the end of 2020 and BCH will stabilize over $1000 before 2018. I made the call right after the fork. Let's see how things will turn out to be. One thing for sure is that mobile payment processors will be DEAD!!! They are not banks and they are expensive, centralized, hackable and less cool.
Time will Tell.