I think bitcoin was hijacked. Originally it had a purpose, and for this reason it will never go away. How many people who own bitcoin know how, or need, to make a dark market transaction? Investment vultures saw what was going on, and are inflating the value without intention of participating in the bitcoin environment. It's not a pure ponzy scheme, it's a hijacked ponzy scheme.

Eventually the bubble will burst, 75% will leave and bitcoin will (almost) go back to user dependent prices.