The technology that underpins bitcoin and similar digital currencies is already being adopted by businesses and governments. But the specifics will vary. The banking system and governments of nation states are not going anywhere, regardless of the utopian dreams of some currency innovators. As digital currencies develop, they will have to fit into the existing political and financial infrastructure. But within that system, there is considerable room to innovate and both governments and banks must do so. Digital currencies could drive innovation, but they won’t replace banks any time soon