Honestly, I think even cryptocurrency is a misnomer. It's Digital Assets, or Digital Commodities. Currencies can be a subtype of assets. The truly unique innovation is that we can create something scarce in the digital world, and that we can decentralize trust. Currency is merely the most obvious implementation of that.

I agree that "blockchain" hype gets annoying, but its still a better word than cryptocurrency.
Paypal is digital assets, most fiat is digital too actually. Bankers openly welcome digital currency but rail against cryptocurrencies, which is telling.

Cryptography and proof of work are the ingredients that give Bitcoin and cryptos that edge.