storage of value, information integrity, speed - If you don't see obvious utility with cryptocurrency then you haven't done enough/very little research.

Why would ycombinator backed REQ try to replace Paypal with crypto technology if there wasn't fundamental value in the tech?

YC's whole model is making many investments which are likely to fail, assuming a lucky few will pay for the rest. It only works because they diversify, rather than going all-in on a single one.

the statement why REQ would try this, not ycomb's investment strategy..

They don't just invest in anyone, they do due diligence, why would they conclude this is even a viable risk taking opportunity if it was easy to see there is no utility in the technology?

those things havent changed since its been around. im talking about fundamentals that drive the price of bitcoin

Cost and ease of transaction.

Difficult to steal or confiscate.

Confidence of transaction completion in a low trust environment.

I'm sure there are more but those are three off the top of my head.

I think it's obvious that he's just pumping bitcoin

Yeah after people on Hacker News find out about Bitcoin the price will skyrocket and imma cash out

pumping bitcoin, lol - you don't get it.