bitcoin does solve some problems, but bitcoin has some problems of it's own.
bitshares is also one to look into.

i may be remembering this wrong it was some time ago.
it may of been in a beyondbitcoin episode were dan talked about gold and silver dealers could accept bitgold and bitsliver.
and exchange 1oz of bitgold for physical gold, and 1oz of physical gold for 1oz bitgold.
has 1oz of bitgold is pegged to the market price feeds of 1oz of gold.