Although there are hundreds of merchants that accept Ether (ETH) as a valid payment mode including eGifter and Overstock, it is not meant to be a currency (as envisioned initially) by its developers. Instead, it is a lot more than just an alternative to money as its objective is to be a replacement for conventional banking and e-payment through intermediaries. It aims to democratise the internet so people collectively own data storage and digital services instead of relying on third parties.