Great point @demotruk

All those digital currencies have value too. They can be earned in the apps, traded and spent but realistically only within the app or platform. I would consider those currencies like chips in a casino. They have value but not outside a confined location and not commonly for a wide variety of goods and services.

Because Steem is non-custodial, there is an added element of trust and specifically counterparty trust, compared to those other examples. Steem is also a currency that exists outside of a confined ecosystem and is used for regular transactions; art, music, advertising (post promotion) and numerous other examples.

I think the Economy that Steem supports is the first truly Digital Economy that has characteristics of a conventional Economy.