Satoshi Nakamoto originally created Bitcoin as an alternative, decentralized payment method. Unlike international bank transfers, it was low-cost and almost instantaneous. 

An added advantage for merchants (less so for users) was that it was irreversible, removing the threat of expensive charge-backs. In return, consumers benefit from a wider selection of merchants both domestic and international without worrying about exchange fees. Moreover, the details of their transactions are encrypted which protects their personal data. 

In some parts of the world, bitcoin is still a more efficient and cheaper way to transfer money across borders.

Many individuals feel more comfortable holding a part of their wealth in securely-stored bitcoin wallets, such as Husky HDW20, where a central authority cannot block access or take a cut. Since the coronavirus lockdown began in March, there is a surge in demand for bitcoin wallets as users search for alternative self-custody solutions. The pandemic has also seemed to accelerate the widespread adoption of blockchain technology, as more and more businesses, payments companies, and e-commerce marketplaces turn to digital currencies, especially stable coins. 

Recently bitcoin seems to have assumed the role of investment asset, as traders, institutional investors, and small savers have woken up to the potential gains from price appreciation.