Of course I'd bet. I'd bet all the money I have + my firstborn child + my future income for the next 30 years. Only someone without the faintest understanding of economics can think bitcoin will become USA/Europe's official currency.
There are just 2 problems with this bet:
1. There is no escrow I'd trust to hold my money for 5 years.
2. The bet is obviously ridiculous for you to take. If you really believe what you say, then your bitcoins will be worth billions in 5 years and the money you win from me won't matter. Hence in this bet there is only downside for you. Hence, either you're crazy if you take it or you're just talking big trying to manipulate the crowds. I'm betting on the latter.
First, it's you, not me who is talking big. I suggested (to another guy) fixed amounts to bet while you bet your unborn children.
Second, who said Bitcoin must get some official stamp of approval from any government? People will use Bitcoin wether governments want it or not. And government will have to milk bitcoin economy, not USD economy.
Third, Bitcoin is valuable precisely because there's "no escrow to trust money for 5 years". You can split your BTC private key in 10 parts via SSSS 6-of-10 and give to your trusted friends. They individually can't steal from you and if 6 of them are still around in 5 years, you get your money. Bitcoin makes some things possible which are not possible otherwise.
Forth, I'm serious about formal bet and confident in what I say. My identity is public and I publish all my thoughts on subject frequently and honestly here: http://blog.oleganza.com
If you are so certain that Bitcoin goes nowhere in 5 years, give me your conditions.
I'm cool with the bet even if it doesn't involve "official stamp of approval" from any government. You say USD/EUR will hyperinflate.
We can probably agree that gold price is a good measure if something has hyperinflated. So, if a troy ounce of gold is worth less than $100K USD/EUR after 5 years, you pay me $10K and if it doesn't, I pay you 1 BTC (the terms you offered below). Escrow is John K from bitcointalk. Deal?
EDIT: fine, you don't want gold. Pick any commodity you fancy - grain, corn, rice, oil, copper, coffee...whatever. It rises 100 times in USD value, you win the bet. Just don't tell me nobody will want these either and we'll live just on bitcoins and fresh air :)
I bet gold at some point will go down massively too. Why hold gold somewhere in the vault of a bankrupt banker when you can hold bitcoins? I wouldn't bet on what happens to the gold. I only feel like it will go very low over the next 20 years. Shorter term - have no idea.
There are just 2 problems with this bet:
1. There is no escrow I'd trust to hold my money for 5 years.
2. The bet is obviously ridiculous for you to take. If you really believe what you say, then your bitcoins will be worth billions in 5 years and the money you win from me won't matter. Hence in this bet there is only downside for you. Hence, either you're crazy if you take it or you're just talking big trying to manipulate the crowds. I'm betting on the latter.