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Definition according to Investopedia:
"What Is Cryptocurrency?
A cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual currency that is secured by cryptography, which makes it nearly impossible to counterfeit or double-spend. Many cryptocurrencies are decentralized networks based on blockchain technology—a distributed LEDGER enforced by a disparate network of computers. A defining feature of cryptocurrencies is that they are generally not issued by any central authority, rendering them theoretically immune to government interference or manipulation."
Let's focus on this sentence: Which is secured by crytography, which makes it nearly impossible to counterfeit or double-spend.
There is no intrinsic value to crypto-currency, only an assigned value based on it's benefits and potential. Now what shocked me was the following: "FBI Used Hackers' Bitcoin Password to Recover Colonial Pipeline Ransom (businessinsider.com) ".
The did not crack the cryptography. They did not counterfeit the bitcoins. What they did is have access to to Darkside's address after getting a seizure warrant.
If the FBI are able to do this, it's a guarantee that this capability is also in the hands of many others. As a result, how safe/secure are the crypto-currencies and what is the difference that is left compared to a fiat currency?
I've stated seeing discussions coming up around this topic and am very curious how we as a community handle this challenge.
