Cryptocurrencies may not be the biggest "investment" opportunity but they are definitely the most easily accessible sector where you can take the risk and spend your time and talent in hope for a better future. It is difficult to predict how much of an impact will cryptocurrencies have outside of the domain of trading and lending markets. Bitcoin is a different asset class altogether. It is already having impact in the real world with adoption by countries and leaders of several countries talking about it. It is the foundation of a crypto-economic society.

Now, what is built on top of it is currently restricted by a lack of a common goal for the community and the more than questionable ethics of its market participants including developers, users and marketers. Till this situation changes, I wouldn't call it an "investment". It is a risky enterprise with good upside potential depending on how diligent and intelligent you are.