What real world problem is bitcoin solving rn? and to what extent?
The problem that solve by Bitcoin is the intermediary of the government and the banks. More efficient and cheap cost of transaction and transparency of the transaction where everybody can check the transaction in the Blockchain.
I don't think every transaction of Bitcoin is cheaper then we use Western Union my friend, it's just because every Bitcoin transaction is totally untrackable so no one will tax you those moneys and ask you where is it from.