If the economy is not working, people won't get the value they are used to. This can essentially be handled in 2 ways:
1. Inflation, which means that everyone is getting the money they are owed, but can't do as much with them
2. Defaults/bankruptcy/breach of contract - people and businesses just run out of money and stop paying their debts
If your country can print money, you will be in situation 1. If your country can't print money (e.g. because it is using BTC or USD or Euros or whatever currency they can't control), then you'll be in situation 2.
I for one prefer situation 1, because there is a chance of recovery from there, and normal life can go on somewhat naturally.
This is a fair point. I have never seen btc taking the place of a nations money. Rather I see it as an alternative means of storing value that can also be used as a means of exchange independent of the monetary supply. BTC will always be measured in dollars/euros/etc.
1. Inflation, which means that everyone is getting the money they are owed, but can't do as much with them
2. Defaults/bankruptcy/breach of contract - people and businesses just run out of money and stop paying their debts
If your country can print money, you will be in situation 1. If your country can't print money (e.g. because it is using BTC or USD or Euros or whatever currency they can't control), then you'll be in situation 2.
I for one prefer situation 1, because there is a chance of recovery from there, and normal life can go on somewhat naturally.