什么是“比特币”？

　　我们现在网上交易仍然需要通过电子银行来完成支付，不过有人说在不久的将来，或许新兴的比特币就能代替传统货币帮我们完成交易了。那么，到底什么是比特币（Bitcoin）呢？我们今天就来科普一下。

　　The Bitcoin is a form of electronic money which has been created specifically for use on the Internet. The Bitcoin doesn't operate like conventional currencies in that it isn't regulated by a central bank, and relies entirely on web-based networks. Bitcoins are 'minted' by a network of computers, which run specialized software designed to release new coins at a fixed and steady pace, currently around 25 Bitcoins every ten minutes. Bitcoins, unlike the cash in your pocket, are finite, and there are currently around 10.8 million of them floating around the system. Though notoriously unstable, the average value of one Bitcoin currently stands at around 35 US dollars. Like many traditional currencies, Bitcoins even have their own symbol (compare £, $, €, etc) and also a currency code, BTC (compare GBP, USD, EUR, etc).

　　比特币（Bitcoin）是电子货币的一种形式，是专为互联网交易使用创造的货币。比特币不像传统货币那样由央行来发行管理，而是完全依托互联网来运行。比特币由一个计算机网络来“印制”，一款特制软件在该网络中运行，以固定稳定的频率发行新币，目前的频率为每十分钟出25个比特币。跟你兜里的现金不一样的是，比特币的数量是有限的，目前整个系统内大约有1080万个比特币。虽说该币种早有价值不稳定的骂名，不过每个比特币目前的平均价值基本保持在35美元左右。而且，跟很多传统货币一样，比特币也有它自己的货币符号（像£, $, €等）和货币代码BTC（像GBP, USD, EUR等）。

　　So, how do Bitcoins work? To purchase them, users go to an online exchange service where they can convert their local currency into virtual money. This electronic cash is then stored in a user account, often described as a digital wallet, which can then be used to make online purchases anywhere where Bitcoins are accepted. Bitcoins can also be converted back into conventional currency at dedicated trading sites. (Source: macmillandictionary.com)

　　那么，比特币是怎么流通的呢？要购买比特币，用户需要通过一个在线兑换服务将他们当地的货币换成这种虚拟货币。然后，这些电子货币就会被存储在用户的账户中，这个账户也被称为电子钱包，而钱包中的比特币就可以在任何接受该币种的地方被用于网上交易。你也可在一些专门的交易网站将比特币兑换成传统货币。