Maybe it was inevitable. It makes sense that cryptocurrencies at-large would go from being a new, hip, young, anti-establishment coin to an old normalized investment strategy.

That's not what Bitcoin's forefathers intended. Indeed, they were far more idealistic, believing cryptocurrency would eschew institutional influence and make the banks bleed - perhaps even overtake them!

The first of those two goals will not be achieved. Any delusions of being some kind of rogue financial entity went out the window when Bitcoin futures came online and institutional investment money came pouring in with its overbearing influence on the entire market. Now there's word of Goldman Sachs jumping into the fray by allowing Bitcoin investments beginning in Q3.

That's right. Bitcoin now has Q's. Satoshi must be rolling over in his abundant digital wealth.

As for taking it to Chase, Wells Fargo and the man in general, the best you can say for that optimistic hallucination is both the institutional banks and cryptocurrencies are becoming more partners than arch enemies. The old stodgy guard is pouring billions into blockchain development. Pay no attention to the public insults hurled at crypto by Jamie Dimond and Warren Buffet. Those are the last crazy utterances of people who also expected a battle and momentarily forgot banks and Bitcoin are now buddies.

Now, crypto is trending in the same direction as Facebook, Twitter, and other tired social networks. Mom and dad showed up to this financial kegger, and investing in digital currencies just isn't as cool anymore.

It certainly appears to be less lucrative. Initial coin offerings (ICOs) are flopping, Bitcoin and the rest of the market still hasn't recovered from the savage thumping it took the beginning of this year, losing almost two thirds of its value. After closing close to $20,000 at the end of 2017, Bitcoin is still struggling to break $10,000, which sandbags altcoins too.

Don't get me wrong - I'm still heavily invested in crypto and you should be too. You'll just have to curb your enthusiasm and adjust your expectations. Moonshots are falling from the sky and returns are becoming more modest. Keeping your money in a 401(bleh)k is starting to look like a viable, almost exciting investment option again.

That's the first shovel of dirt falling over a crypto scene that's dead.