Pretty sure most people on Bitcointalk got their coins almost free with CPU GPU mining back in 2009-2010.
Most likely the retail people that are buying Bitcoin now only buy like $100 worth to play around with it. Most of the surge in price was due to investment firms which bought 8 figures worth.
Yeah of course people are investing their real money to buy bitcoin and other currencies. Without money how is it possible to buy coins. You will have your money for buying coins.
Buying different coins is like a currency business and you will have to invest your capital to start this business and your investment will give you a huge profit after some time. Many people have earned millions from their investment in bitcoin and other digital currencies.