I wonder how a block chain would be possible without bitcoin running/flowing in it? It's like saying a waterfall exists without water flowing in it.
the point is that bitcoin.. (the 21million token currency) needs some defining 'buzzword' to separate the currency from the technology.. separating and explaining the differences between paper money, sql database accounts. other digital payment systems and 'blockchain..
EG
blockchain is the technology
bitcoin is the currency (using blockchain technology)
litecoin is a currency (using blockchain technology)
if banks want to use the blockchain technology, without bitcoin as the currency. then its simply an altcoin currency.
i think banks prefer the buzzword blockchain, as oppose to 'crypto' and also as oppose to 'digital' .. as digital can also mean visa, paypal, applepay, facebook credits.
and 'crypto' is just weird to them, and average non geek people.. thus the technology name seems to be highlighted recently has being the umbrella term blockchain.. to separate digital fiat from blockchain based currencies
this should help show why generalizing bitcoin as 'digital' will make people still think its like applepay