...I understand there are a number of free thinkers who hold it with no intent to ever sell.

They have a sense of ideals that are above monetizing it.. I reckon this is important, as while all other coins can be manipulated, via exchanges or people seeking to make a living, if the original holders of bitcoin hold fast it's difficult to corrupt or manipulate; It has an important role for moving between crypto's without going back to fiat and it's the first and best long term sustainable crypto hope in my view...Lets hope it succeeds, cheers to bitcoin :)