Goldbacks can be verified by numerous features in the design, like watermarks etc, I believe the mobile app can verify them as well, so far they have not been counterfitted. So the trust is anchored in the producer adding adequate amounts of gold, and free market incentives are likely keeping him honest.
Bitcoin has an infinite cost to be transported in meatspace without internet, meaning it's not even possible.
Your last sentence is not true at all!
Tell me how to transact Bitcoin without internet?
Extra points for how to do it without a computer.
ChatGpt gives this summary
➡️ Without internet
SMS relays (TxTenna, mesh networks)
Radio broadcasts (ham radio, Locha Mesh)
Sneakernet (USB stick, QR code printouts)
➡️ Without computer
Hardware wallet + microSD / QR code
Possibly hand-written transactions (practically infeasible)
With all of these, at least one party must have access to the internet.
Physical cash on the other hand works while both sender and receiver are 100% offline.
That’s not correct. The Bitcoin network itself eventually needs internet to confirm a transaction, but neither sender nor receiver needs direct internet access. A signed transaction can be broadcast by any third party (e.g. via radio, SMS relay, or satellite uplink), similar to how a cash payment can later be deposited at a bank.
You said transported. Remember 12 words and you can cross borders.
But sure: Satellite, radio, mesh, SMS, paper and probably more I can't think of now.
