I think the only power that i seen in bitcoin is the popularity and more stores are accepting bitcoin like in paris and brazil .. and i hope the other country will accept bitcoin in some stores..  the transaction speed compare fast few months is different right now it is more fast transaction that i experience i do not know if its because of the fee or not.. because before i am paying 0 fee in electrum.. but right now you need to pay a default fee or above to transact your bitcoin fast..