The beast mentioned here symbolises human government (name-number 666, " a man's number"). Read Revelation 13:16-18 for context. Verse 16 starts with: "And it puts under compulsion all persons, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free and the slaves... Big politics, big business and big religion keep the wild beast functioning as an oppressor of mankind. Crypto will not enslave anybody, we are all already enslaved! (read bold type above). Crypto defies human government (crypto = protest). How this ends, nobody can say for sure. Either way, there will be devastation.
Gold supply is limited and has industrial and jewellery uses. Companies, like microsoft are over the long run valued by future earnings and dividends. Cryptos are infinite and have no intrinsic value expect the hope that someone else will pay more for them in future. Works of art i will agree with you, overpriced really, a status symbol for the ultra rich... but at least masterpiece works of art are tangible, a real thing and a copy will never be the original. Jack Dorkeys original twitter post can be copied perfectly.
The super rich members of the Elite will gladly take the mark of the Beast, as they already worship it. What do you think will happen next when they put all your bank account, your salary (including your trading profits), your personal identity, your medical info, etc... in crypto format and store them in a micro chip? And what if they put this micro chip under your skin (like a credit card) and that chip can be wirelessly turned off by the Elite, at any moment if you don't obey them (thus preventing you from buying even food or getting medical service for instance)? (Hint: Total control of the planet is the right answer). Think I am making this up? Google or Youtube for RFID chip implants on humans, for example.. Are you beginning to understand why crypto money has been created while cash is disappearing slowly but surely...?
There will be a time when both fiat and crypto will cease to exist. The wheels are already in motion, you just do not know it. Earthly governments, corporations and religions will cease to exist. For you and your friend, crypto will be the least of your problems.
If you are referring to Revelation 6:1,2 then I concur. Revelation 6:15-17 is where the proverbial #$@! hits the fan. Crypto and fiat are temporary. For how long I do not know, nor does anybody else.