At least for me, the monetary gains aspect of Bitcoin was not a priority when I invested a modest sum nine years ago. It's a welcome side effect, I must admit.
Debanking, being locked out by Mastercard, Paypal and others was a thing even back then and I wanted a way to do things without a bank involved, like do business with or help out dissidents. I could smell that it would get worse. Have been mostly HODLing since then.
It's not an anonymous system by nature, but I've never tried a mixer or whatever they're called.
try cashing it out lol
I recently sold about €2500 worth of it with no problems. Surprisingly painless. Did a couple of tests-sells during the preceding eight years but those were only maybe €500 all told.