Some early users have retained their Bitcoin, for sure. And it's great if they get rewarded for their part in getting it going. But I and many others have just used Bitcoin. I earn a little, now and then, and buy what I need. With adequate mixing, it's usable semi-anonymous ecash. I don't mind speculators, as long as the price remains more-or-less predictable. The first three quarters of 2015 were OK. Now I must gamble on when to buy stuff, and it's annoying.