I think most people don't get the dichotomy, and misconstrue things by attempting comparisons to a historic precedence. The truth is there is none. The breakthrough is fundamentally a trusted centralised store, which is decentralised in topology. No single person or organisation is in control, a self sufficient network, gamed into existence.
I am still surprised people continue to be still so enamoured by the financial aspects, which is the all important fuel to keep the engine going. Greed is a hell of a motivating factor though.
IMHO this is just the first generation, it will evolve in ways we cannot predict, but it is revolutionary and challenges banks and financial institutions to the core.