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> Bitcoin is an asset the government simply cannot control.

It certainly can, at least if you intend to exchange it for tangible goods or services, or if you convert it to a government currency. Why do you think these sorts of transactions cannot be regulated?

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The settlement layer is purely peer to peer. Governments can enact laws to make actions illegal, and tougher for centralized entities like banks and corporations from using it. But there are addresses out there known to authorities with hundreds of millions of dollars in stolen bitcoin - and there is absolutely nothing they can do to prevent it from being moved. If you have the private key, you own the coins.

>If you have the private key, you own the coins.

Until you get arrested and the government just makes you hand over your private key.

https://www.wired.com/story/feds-seize-billion-stolen-silk-r...

https://xkcd.com/538/

Ultimately, you will need to exchange your bitcoins for _something_ for them to have provided you with value (dying with a horde of bitcoin, stocks, USD, ect is a waste). Yes, there are many bitcoins moving around that the government cannot influence, but who cares? Go try and buy a car with these bitcoins, and it will be a different story.

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