Indeed, it is fascinating to consider the origins of cypherpunk philosophy and its relationship to the development of Bitcoin and other decentralized cryptocurrencies.

As you mentioned, early attempts at creating e-cash systems often relied on fiat currencies or precious metals as a means of establishing value. However, this approach had inherent limitations in terms of scalability and resistance to censorship - which are key properties that cryptoanarchists sought in their quest for greater personal freedom.

Bitcoin's success in achieving these goals can be attributed to a number of factors - including its innovative use of blockchain technology, its decentralized architecture that allows for peer-to-peer transactions without intermediaries, and its built-in mechanisms for ensuring scarcity (such as the halving events).

While many people view Bitcoin's rise as inevitable given these advantages - it is important to remember that there were many challenges along the way. From technical hurdles related to scaling and network security, to social obstacles such as regulatory crackdowns and negative media coverage - Bitcoin's success was far from guaranteed.

Nonetheless, through perseverance from dedicated developers and supporters alike - Bitcoin has emerged as a powerful tool for enabling greater financial privacy, autonomy, and individual liberty.