>What offers Bitcoin value is the level of marketing that makes people pour money and graphic cards in this specific implementation of the code.
More specifically, people trust Gavin Andreeson and the BTC core team more than any of the people behind the other forks. Gavin & co. have a pretty good record of commitment to transparency, openness, and doing the right thing for the community.
Some of the other forks, like SolidCoin for example, were done with some sketchiness (holding large pools of initially mined coins in reserve).
Each passing month so far only solidifies Bitcoin's lead in that crucial aspect of a virtual currency.
Ultimately, the value of a currency is derived from its supply relative to its demand, the same as any other commodity. Governments can artificially stimulate demand by making it legal tender and only accepting taxes in it, or by managing the supply via gold/silver-backing or central bank monetary policies, etc.
Same with BTC, and the drivers of that demand will vary over time and as economic conditions change.
More specifically, people trust Gavin Andreeson and the BTC core team more than any of the people behind the other forks. Gavin & co. have a pretty good record of commitment to transparency, openness, and doing the right thing for the community.
Some of the other forks, like SolidCoin for example, were done with some sketchiness (holding large pools of initially mined coins in reserve).
Each passing month so far only solidifies Bitcoin's lead in that crucial aspect of a virtual currency.
Ultimately, the value of a currency is derived from its supply relative to its demand, the same as any other commodity. Governments can artificially stimulate demand by making it legal tender and only accepting taxes in it, or by managing the supply via gold/silver-backing or central bank monetary policies, etc.
Same with BTC, and the drivers of that demand will vary over time and as economic conditions change.