While a lot of Bitcoin's boom can definitely be attributed to hype, it is also worth remembering how much value was added by the illicit drug trade (e.g. Silk R

While a lot of Bitcoin's boom can definitely be attributed to hype, it is also worth remembering how much value was added by the illicit drug trade (e.g. Silk Road). That trade provided some of Bitcoin's long term stability, and given the recent closures and arrest (even on Tor) that market has diminished somewhat (plus the legalisation in some locations).