Bitcoin carries the characteristics of money (durability, portability, exchangeability, scarcity, verifiability, divisibility and recognition) which are based however on mathematical principles and not on physical properties (such as gold and silver) or trust in central powers (such as "fiat currency").
Briefly, Bitcoin is supported by mathematics. With these features, all that is required by a form of money to maintain value is trust and espousal. In the case of Bitcoin, this can be measured by the growing base of users, traders and start-ups. As with all currencies, Bitcoin's value stems only from people who are willing to accept it as a mean of payment.
