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 Monero’s value is in real world cash peer-to-peer.
Bitcoin’s market cap rises on SPECULATION.  I’m disputing that it’s actually being used for real world transactions.  Even on Nostr, we’re using custodial accounts, which is really like a fractional reserve bank account but for bitcoin.

And Ethereum is developers and venture capitalists, it’s not real world shit.  Nobody is buying toilet paper at the local store for Eth layer 2.

Compare that to VPNs or privacy services.   The overwhelming bulk of all transactions at Simplified Privacy are Monero. 
 Agree,  lightning is terrible on every level, not just because of poor privacy but because its more complicated to use than any other crypto.  Which means Alby dominates lightning transactions like Visa does fiat.  Theres not much point in having bitcoin if I use lightning , if there is little privacy gain for small transactions might as use visa/paypal that is much much easier/cheaper.  So I still don't get why Monero isn't more popular as both a store of value and transaction currency.  Why don't the people who  speculate on bitcoin and shitcoins speculate on the privacy that monero offers?   If it actually does offer something people want, if it can't be banned precisely because its private (unlike less private shitcoins) why not invest. Whatever way I look at it, seems to me that if you are a speculator or enthusiast or privacy advocate there is no reason not to invest in monero rather than all the other crap coins.  I don't  want speculators, i'm happy they aren't investing in it -I suspect that makes the fiat value more realistic -  it just doesn't seem to make sense that you wouldn't if you want to profiteer of it. 
 
 Or to put the question another way: what exactly are speculators afraid of?