I honestly haven't ever been following the "Crypto scene" very closely. I heard about Bitcoin in 2009 though when a friend started mining (he'd be a millionaire had he continued). I was under the impression that all coins are more or less the same technologically, and that the difference in value is difference of adoption more than difference in design.
Is not the tech (blockchain?) the cause of the "more consequential" parts of Bitcoin? By which I guess you mean being resistant to control, censorship etc?
The blockchain is a glorified ledger. Its literally just double entry accounting but transparent and decentralized.
Bitcoin exists because fiat money (usd, euro, etc) is a sinking ship and can be manipulated by governments at will. They can print more (create inflation) or raise and lower interest rates at will. They can shut down access to all your money at the touch of a button and they can prevent you from spending your money if they don't like what you're buying. It "enslaves" people because we are beholden to something they unilaterally control.
Bitcoin is the escape. It is an alternative monetary system with safeguards no other crypto can claim. One of which:
All other coins can be minted or rugged by the owner, no different than US dollars. Bitcoin has no owner.
Bitcoin mining (the process if "proof of work" specifically) ensures that there is a cost to generating coins and to process transactions. This prevents bad actors because they have to spend heavily to attack.
Nodes offer consensus and validate blockchain entries. No one person can go in and alter records or roll back the blockchain (like coughETHcough). Bitcoin is Immutable.
Many coins will claim these things but if you have a person or team that controls the keys to the kingdom, none of that matters. Does your coin have a CEO or President? If so, its no better than digital dollars at best.
Bitcoin stands alone.
