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比特幣(Bitcoin)是世界上唯一只存在網路、沒有中央發行單位的虛擬貨幣，這種貨幣不會有發行量增加導致通貨膨脹的問題，因為電腦程式控制它的最終總發行量是2100萬個。比特幣正逐漸獲得商家接受付款，同時也是另類投資標的。今年比特幣的大幅震盪引發了高度的關注。

進入本文前，請先想想以下單字： 
(A)易變的 
(B)可行性 
(C)聲望

It has been a ^(A)volatile month for Bitcoin. A furious run-up in the value of Bitcoin earlier this month has been followed by an abrupt price drop that has rattled investors. The price of one Bitcoin unit continued its dive, falling 39% at one point to $50 before recovering somewhat to around $70. 

上個月對比特幣是動盪不安的一個月。幣值稍早先是猛然上升，接著又讓投資人措手不及地突然下降。幣值持續下降了39%到1比50美元後，再度回復到1比70美元。

The unpredictable trading has given fresh fuel to skeptics, who question the ^(B)viability of a volatile currency that isn't backed by a central bank. "I think there are some businesses that offer legitimate goods that like the concept and like the ^(C)cachet of it," said Beth Robertson, a senior consultant with Javelin Strategy and Research, which focuses on the payments industry. "But I don't think that you're going to see any broad base of merchants accepting Bitcoin." 

無從預測的交易起伏讓對懷疑者更加質疑這樣變動的貨幣，沒有中央銀行的可行性。美國市調公司Javelin Strategy and Research專研支付服務產業的資深顧問Beth Robertson認為，有些合法商家可能對比特幣的概念和名聲感興趣，但是不會有廣泛的商家接受比特幣。

Despite the lack of wide acceptance and looming prospect for regulation, a cadre of Silicon Valley venture capitalists, Web programmers and anti-Establishment thinkers are still ⁽¹⁾revved up about Bitcoin's prospects. 

儘管尚未被廣泛接受，還有法規規制在即，一群矽谷的創投家、網路程式設計師和反建制擁護者仍然為比特幣感到興奮。 

Unlike currencies that are backed by a central bank, Bitcoin users can essentially create the units themselves in a process called "mining" that involves solving a complicated mathematical problem with sophisticated computer servers. The currency, which is stored in an online account, also can be traded on an exchange and swapped privately. 

和其他中央發行的貨幣不同，比特幣使用者可以透過一種稱為「挖礦」的方式獲得貨幣，也就是從精密的電腦伺服器解決複雜的數學問題。存在線上帳戶裡的貨幣可以被買賣，也可以用來支付交易。 

Bitcoin payments are becoming increasingly popular among Internet merchants, who want to reduce costs associated with accepting credit cards. The virtual currency also is starting to make inroads in the⁽²⁾brick-and-mortar world, where customers can pay with bitcoins using their mobile phones. But because the transactions are essentially anonymous, critics worry that the currency could be used for drug⁽³⁾trafficking and money laundering. 

收比特幣的網路商店越來越多，原因是商家想減低收信用卡的相關費用。在實體商店，顧客也開始可以用手機支付比特幣。但由於交易是匿名進行，評論家擔心貨幣會被利用來進行毒品交易和洗錢。 

The U.S. Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, known as FinCen, last month issued a three-page memo that effectively lays the groundwork to regulate firms that issue or exchange virtual currencies. Among other things, money transmitters must alert authorities if they believe a transaction might be tied to suspicious activity. 

美國財政部金融犯罪執行網路(FinCen)3月剛發布3頁的備忘錄，列出發行虛擬貨幣公司的基本規範。其中包括交易人員如果認為交易與可疑活動有關，必須通知有關單位。 

Despite the looming regulation, investors were encouraged by the memo. They believe increased oversight will ease money-laundering concerns that have kept some investors and merchants out of the market. Entrepreneurs hope the new FinCen guidelines will help Bitcoin evolve into a more developed currency. A number of companies are expected to register with FinCen as money transmitters in the coming months. A few already have done so, anticipating that the industry would be capturing the attention of regulators. 

雖然法規即將上路，投資人還是對備忘錄感到樂觀。他們相信提高監管會減輕部分投資人與商家對洗錢的疑慮。企業家希望新的金融犯罪執行網路法規會讓比特幣發展更成熟。未來幾個月預計會有許多公司登記進行資金傳輸業務，部分公司也預期政府將進行規範而已經先行登記。

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