Heck, even gold is only useful as currency because we have a weird obsession with it. Its only real value is its nonreactive qualities, which is why it was used as money. Its only real use today is in technology which needs nonreactive metals

A lot of people forget that yeah. Currancy is, at it's most basic, a tradable good we all agree has value. Because it's easier to trade paper backs or gold dust for food and clothes rather than "Hey I cooked your burger, give me a shirt" or something.