Given that crypto currencies are still in their infancy, and there are still some issues to work out with buying and selling, I opine that Bitcoin is definitely a long-term hold. Starting with jsnip4 last week in May 2017, Bitcoin et al appear to be functioning in place of precious metals as a store of value. But I cannot overemphasize Bitcoin's ability to be used over the Internet without banking fees, wire fees, and governmental intervention. Just realize that governments are already grabbing the low-hanging fruit; i.e., online wallets at centralized locations, such as Mt. Gox. So be diligent and diversify as well as back up your crypto coins.

With crypto currencies the tech-savvy person worth less than one million dollars has something normally only the multi-millionaires would have: private bank accounts. You don't have to fly to Switzerland, you just have to know what you are doing with either online or offline wallets and sub-accounts.