I had to post a second reply focused on the statement "Its value comes from its ability to transfer value."
I can't grok why that troubles you.
The value of my investments in Paypal, Visa, and Chase are based on exactly the same thing, their ability to transfer value. Bitcoin is obviously a pure play while the others above are not, but I'll argue they are more similar than different.
Superficially the statement seems to be circular logic. But when one considers the costs in time, money, and uncertainty of using various mechanisms to transfer value than it should not be too difficult to recognize that Bitcoin is obviously a better mousetrap than a wire or a check in the mail.
For now a wire's only advantage is that it is more widely available to both receiver and sender.
Regards,
Rick