New and trying to understand

So from what I've read the blockchain seems amazing and filled with potential. What I am having having a hard time understanding is what that has to do with the price of cryptocurrency. Where I am lacking understanding is how does the utilization of a project translate to increased value of a coin. I understand how if a business makes more sales their stock price appreciates as their assets and future earnings increase which makes sense to me. Does popularity or utilization of a project increase the assets of that project and directly increase the value of a coin? If so how, are fees redistributed among the coin holders or something?