Ask HN: What is the end game for cryptocurrency?

As crypto starts to enter the mainstream consciousness, Im curious what the killer app or utility crypto currency will provide? Aside from the theoretical, what is the end game of crypto? Is it just an elaborate digital pyramid scheme? Is there some near term utility that could be derived from crypto? Is this really just going to end up being a way to semi anonymously send payment for legal gray area goods and services? I see several barriers to widespread adoption: 1) Governments cannot universally agree how to treat it 2) Its still hugely volitile 3) It is able to be manipulated with both FUD and outright misinformation 4) probably a dozen other things.

I would like to hear objective discussion around this, and just curious what some of the better minds that lurk on HN have to think about this.