The major governments of the world have for some time been laying the groundwork for their own national cryptocurrencies. Does that matter? Yes, it matters a lot. Bitcoin will be a direct competitor.
How come?? A National digital currency and a decentralized cryptocurrency is Nowhere related! A National digital currency is is as good as cash in your pocket no matter what ever digital convenience it brings!
Why do they do this? To remain in financial control and to stop financial crime like whitewashing of funds from happening. Is it likely to happen? Yes, the US banned holding gold privately in the 1930's. So that the US government was to be a monopoly gold holder in the US.
There is a clear danger that the US, Europe, China, Japan and others will get togheter and flat out ban and even criminalize the usage and holding of Bitcoin. Resulting in after the ban, if you are cought using and holding BTC, you would get a huge fine or jail term.
The price of Bitcoin would get killed completely, you would be looking at Bitcoin below $1000.
How likely do YOU think this scenario is? Although you might say this is only speculation, IT IS A FACT that these countries are working on cryptocurrencies of their own.
There is a possibility that major governments may ban or criminalize the usage of cryptocurrency, especially bitcoin! However it is easier said than done! Cryptocurrency users can quickly move to privacy oriented coins if the need arises. So the enforcement agencies will have to find a needle in the haystack in the most literal sense.