In the context of a crypto article I think saying "fiat" is entirely justified. Anyone who's into crypto has thought a bit about what "money" really is, and that tenner in your pocket (or more likely these days the circuit in your NFC chip) is ultimately just an idea that a lot of people believe in.
Crypto people just believe in some different ideas. Maybe a bit like notionally Christian nations still spend a lot because of santa and get excited about eggs at Easter time.
If you want money that's not an idea, you need gold, as J.P. Morgan famously said: https://www.milesfranklin.com/gold-is-money-everything-else-is-credit-jp-morgan/
There are entire schools of economics (OK, not the most cult-free space!) where the distinction between "fiat" and "real" money is a fundamental principle, the Austrian School one being most prominent.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
