> It doesn't just not create value

Value is a subjective concept. One could argue that its value is that arbitrary quantities of it cannot be created by dictat.

> - to be able to allow exchanging value, it fundamentally requires ever increasing waste, as the waste is what gives its mathematical guarantees.

One could argue that it takes a lot worse to maintain any currency such as USD as a currency. Full force of government law enforcement will be unleashed on you if you decide to have your own currency. There is a lot of "wastage" that goes to safeguard currency creation and storage and to prevent counterfeiting.

I do not hold BTC. Nor do I trade it. But to discuss as if other currencies have no cost is not rational.