Crypto Investment Rookie Q

Hi all, probably a real noob question so thanks in advance…

But, when it comes to Crypto as an investment I am having friends of mine tell me that blue-chip shares are better because:
1)They pay dividends and;
2) You don’t own a portion of the company but merely hold a credit people use to transact on that network.

So, anyone care to debunk the above for me?
And perhaps explain what gives something like ETH an increased value over time, except for pure speculation.

Thanks in advance!