> it depends on the definition of "crypto currency", primarily the currency part of the term.

100%. By most working definitions of "currency" used by economists, BitCoin has never really succeeded as one. Neither has any other blockchain crypto-tokens. Eg you can't reliably buy a loaf of bread with one, from any vendor within a geographic area. So technically "cryto-currency" isn't a thing.

But as a neologism for blockchain crypto-tokens, BitCoin was definitely the first.