The concept of money being a shared hallucination is an interesting way to frame its value. It highlights the role that collective belief and social convention play in defining the worth of a currency. While money does have real-world value and serves as a medium of exchange, its perceived worth is ultimately based on how much we collectively agree it is worth.
This is a critical point when it comes to understanding the value of Bitcoin and other digital currencies. While many may try to replicate its technology, they cannot replicate the network effect that has made it so valuable. In other words, Bitcoin's worth is not solely derived from its technology, but from the fact that so many people believe in it and use it as a store of value and medium of exchange.
This does not mean that digital currencies are without intrinsic value. As the excerpt acknowledges, money serves a range of important functions, from facilitating trade to acting as a store of value. However, the perceived value of a given currency is ultimately based on how much people believe in it and use it in their daily lives.
As Bitcoin and other digital currencies continue to evolve and mature, we will undoubtedly see new innovations and uses emerge. However, at its core, the value of Bitcoin is rooted in the collective belief of its users, and the faith they place in it as a reliable and trustworthy store of value.