Have a look at this recent survey.http://imgur.com/a/WcMIk In particular, pay particular attention to slide 13.

So while there isn't necessarily a central figure promising returns, the attitude of the community as a whole is.

The best terminology I can use to describe what's going on is that it's a 'Decentralized Ponzi' of sorts. Honestly, it's one of the most interesting things about Bitcoin to me.