We can't manufacture it or change its atomic number, but the powerful can (and have) manipulated its "value" in all the same ways as they could manipulate bitco

We can't manufacture it or change its atomic number, but the powerful can (and have) manipulated its "value" in all the same ways as they could manipulate bitcoin. They can buy up supply, insist that taxes be paid in it, or threaten to lock up anyone who mysteriously comes across a large amount of it. Gold's status as a physical element is basically irrelevant. Bitcoin is basically gold you can email.