Not that different from how paper currencies like the US dollar work in terms of money supply though.
Of course, Bitcoin is not issued by a QUANGO whose chair appointing government has 10 aircraft carriers, over 5000 nuclear missiles and so forth. Anyone can start up a Bitcoin like currency (Litecoin, Dogecoin etc.)
People overestimate the monetary value of military hardware. The Russians had a pretty powerful military when the Ruble collapsed. When people lose faith in the dollar no amount of firepower will save it.
Of course, Bitcoin is not issued by a QUANGO whose chair appointing government has 10 aircraft carriers, over 5000 nuclear missiles and so forth. Anyone can start up a Bitcoin like currency (Litecoin, Dogecoin etc.)