There is essentially no point to using a blockchain if the only thing you're putting on it is an accounting system you have absolute control over anyway.

I think tech people vulnerable to buzzwordism have an instinctive response to respond to any mention of money with "blockchain!", even though it's really only useful in this context for decentralized payment systems (i.e. not for banks). The only place banks might want to use blockchains is for low-trust inter-bank settlement.

"Absolute control" would imply I can import javascript modules and interface with blockchains directly, so you're right that it wouldn't be Root's job to utilize the blockchain if I have this ability. There is nothing to indicate this is the case, however.

edit: if it is the case, I would be excited to see some docs

We're currently playing in the fiat currency space, but we are keeping an eye out for ways to merge the two

One beta user built a script that sells bitcoin in real-time as he swipes his card and tops up his fiat account, effectively making his card "spend bitcoin" :)

As far as the US IRS is concerned, every time he makes a purchase with bitcoin, it is a taxable event where he must declare any gains/loss from the time he purchased the bitcoin. This type of regulation is hindering BTC adoption in the US. BTC also doesn't solve any problems the average person has in a developed country, but that is another story..

that's so cool. have they open sourced this yet?

There is also this BTC debit card available, which could probably be used in conjunction with your service. https://www.shiftpayments.com/card

I'm curious, to what end?

As an extension to customizing your bank account. It'd be nice to be able to pull funds from cryptocoin accounts or make calls to smart contracts, etc. I'm thinking this could be the IFTTT of bank accounts, so I want to see as many connections as possible.

Well that makes sense, but not what I would call "backing it". I think the terminology confused me, integrating other accounts, etc. is a clearer target.