All currencies lack intrinsic value, that's their whole point. Currencies are instruments of symbolic value, always have been, always will be. One caveat; the one intrinsic value of a currency is its utility as a currency. BTC could become a currency if people would ever stop using it as a speculative commodity, don't see that happening soon. The dollar functions well as a currency; its exchange value is reasonably stable, the economy backing it is the biggest in the world, there's a strong enough supply to support a global scale economy, the government backing it is/was backed by long and seemingly strong democratic institutions and systems/traditions of law. Current events are ripping at both of these strengths.