So define "blockchain" as "crypto-backed distributed ledger". The "distributed ledger" part of that isn't new. Crypto doesn't imply bitcoin. But yes, right now

So define "blockchain" as "crypto-backed distributed ledger". The "distributed ledger" part of that isn't new. Crypto doesn't imply bitcoin. But yes, right now the two are inseparable, which IMO is part of the risk. I don't want a new currency: I want the benefits of the blockchain. A lot of the so-called benefits of bitcoin aren't really exclusive to it: they apply to any currency and a distributed ledger (and the implementation thereof). That "bitcoin" is what we call blocks, and blocks have value because they take effort to get, doesn't mean that's a robust currency. I can go dig gold out of the ground, or speculate on wireless frequencies, or whatever.