>How is that due to regulations? There simply isn't much demand for those types of transactions.
Perhaps there isn't demand because they have been regulated out of the realm of the possible with traditional instruments? There is demand, but you are not aware.
Tips on Twitter,
Tips on Reddit,
Tips in chats,
Tips for streamers,
Tips for bloggers,
Payouts for activity in a browser game (QuakeIII, rougelikelike or others),
Survey response,
Mechanical Turk style microtasks
These are just the few ideas that leap off the top of my head. You fulfill all of the criteria of my initial criticism, a lack of appreciation for the subjective theory of value. Just because you do not value it, are totally unaware of it, or lack the imagination to conceive of it, does not mean that the activity has no value.
http://pressbin.com/tools/paypal_micropayments/
>So unless you are the type of hypothetical libertarian who thinks all government is bad while enjoying a standard of living that is only possible in a regulated economy, supporting cryptocurrency as a way of opposing bad laws is nonsensical.
This is where you go off the rails. Consider if I had structured an argument, "Unless you are the kind of commie who..."
I realize that pro-market sentiment is something of a thought crime here on this forum for entrepreneurs, but this is a bit much. As to living in a highly regulated country, don't you think that is a bit presumptuous?
In regards to pro-market sentiments and private property, many have said, "If you don't like it, move to Somalia" I don't know if it is within your powers of imagination, but there are several better options. No, I don't need to show ID (suspicious looking? Imagine that!) to walk up the street. I never needed to show a vaccine card to buy a coffee either. Yes, I am truly suffering by not living in a highly regulated country.
>while providing little additional benefit
Who are you to say? Again, you might not value some of these things. They might not impact your life. Others may. Generalizing it into criminality is just sloppy to the point of the absurd. Although, perhaps that is a privilege for those lacking imagination.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subjective_theory_of_value
>What about all the damage it has caused through incentiving ransomware?
>Dillinger was known to prefer Ford's then-new V8 cars for their speed.
https://money.cnn.com/2010/01/24/autos/dillinger_car_auction....
Cryptocurrency does not incentivize ransomware anymore than the Ford V8 incentivized John Dillinger to rob banks. Men act. Cryptocurrency transacts as per the intentions of men. Don't personify the inanimate by misattributing agency. Please seek help if you hallucinate the BTC SVG on your shoulder, "incentivizing" you into a life of cyber-crime.