Yeah there is? Gold is valuable because it's made of physical atoms that are hard to reproduce, this dynamic doesn't apply to information.
The value of information is realized through other means that make a distributed information based currency impractical. Even Ethereum recognizes that some, non-zero, degree of centralization is required.
Lack of intrinsic value applies to both cash and crypto. The main difference is that one is backed by a government and is globally recognised whereas the stability of crypto's value is beholden purely to the market. Centralisation is actually incidental here, the government makes certain guarantees that makes it's cash currency more stable.
FYI, I'm just playing devils advocate here, I think all crypto so far has utterly failed at providing an alternative to cash even though in theory it's entirely capable, and that's because the main barrier to entry is government recognition... it's a classic failure of "we can solve this with tech and sidestep regulation", but when replacing one piece of information (as you put it) with another, then it turns out that recognition by authorities and regulation is integral to it's success regardless of any technical advantages.
Cash is also made of physical atoms that are hard to reproduce, I chose gold because it's intuitively obvious to everyone whereas some folks may think it's easy to counterfeit cash.
It's much more difficult to copy cash then copy information.
> It's much more difficult to copy cash then copy information.
> The statement that cash is a lot harder to copy than information still stands.
My last two comments do not seem to be 'pivoting' at all.
Nor do they appear to be bringing up 'straw men', a non-substantiated claim isn't credible.
> I'm not sure what you are trying to achieve.
I was trying to achieve a response to your comment that:
'There is no conceptual reason why a distributed cryptographic currency could not take the place of cash for in person transactions. In realty crypto has many other issues, but not this one.'
There is in fact at least one conceptual reason 'why a distributed cryptographic currency could not take the place of cash for in person transactions'.
The value of information is realized through other means that make a distributed information based currency impractical. Even Ethereum recognizes that some, non-zero, degree of centralization is required.