3mtj20

If you're doing those things because you think your transactions are anonymous...you're putting yourself at risk. Bitcoin is not private, like at all.

Many of the newer, high profile blockchains have moved away from proof of work to proof of stake, which is not energy intensive

There are some solutions like lightning network.

Also, no one is saying that blockchain in its current state solves all problem better than what we have now. What matters, and why some people would bet on certain blockchains/tokens/projects/etc is the belief that there are certain projects that have real potential to disrupt a big incumbent like Visa.

why not payments...which is what bitcoin was founded to do (though perhaps has moved too much into store of value territory)

Dear Lord I hope it's 2017 all over again :)