Virtual currencies are currently a fringe phenomenon in the U.S., accounting for a tiny fraction (less than 0.001%) of all U.S. retail transactions
This is so because a huge part of the American consumers are still confident in using their credit cards and cash when buying something in retail, and not much retail stores are really accepting crypto in their establishments. Perhaps if a lot more stores do this kind of thing where they would be willing to accept crypto, the statistics would change and we would actually see something positive.
Virtual currencies' (including Bitcoin) are a way to transfer value, but there is no established mechanism or legal framework in place to protect users.
This seems to be outdated. Governments are slowly trying to make crypto a safer place and imposing regulations where users are protected, at least when they are dealing with third-party establishments and services, that is.
Bitcoin itself could become the most prominent example of just such a new kind of "money"
It already is, isn't it?