In the beginning, BTC could be used to exchange of low value of virtual items, such as buying web sites or game points, virtual items, etc., afterwards, some people in order to get these virtual items, items may be in online auction own reality for BTC, others want to buy the real goods, but no BTC at hand, and then use real money to exchange BTC, as a result, BTC begin to flow, and have a "value".
In other words, bitcoin is inherently valuable as a means of payment; If it loses its function as a means of payment, it becomes worthless.
The value of money: it exists because of payment.
I am fan not an expert in this area, but for me it's logic that bitcoin needs to be regulated for being more stable, then it needs to became a worthy payment method, and only after those steps it can became a currency like we had a dollar right now.