Although Bitcoin's primary purpose is not as an investment, that is undoubtedly what it has turned into. Right from when the first individual sold some instead of using it to buy a product/service. I guess because the ability to mine it was restricted to those with the know how, meant that anyone that wanted it previously had to buy it, in turn creating the demand. This demand has been growing ever since, even with the recent drop in price. I very much doubt that anyone involved at the beginning envisaged the growth that it has experienced, and genuinely thought/still think of it as a functional currency with which to buy and sell. It will find it's level eventually and settle down in currency exchanges like any other, but the volatility will have to be worked through first, and that could take years. Looking forward to a few years of growth and then spending it.