tense - Difference between "continue to" and "are continuing to"

Please tell me is there any fundamental difference between the two sentences:

1. 
   

   Even today, people continue to use cheques.

   
   


2. 
   
   

   Even today, people are continuing to use cheques.

   
   

I mean is there a difference as in time period (i.e when the action starts and when it ends). Or are the two sentence just the same and interchangeable?