我們現在網上交易仍然需要通過電子銀行來完成支付，不過有人說在不久的將來，或許新興的比特幣就能代替傳統貨幣幫我們完成交易了。那么，到底什么是比特幣（Bitcoin）呢？我們今天就來科普一下。

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).

比特幣（Bitcoin）是電子貨幣的一種形式，是專為互聯網交易使用創造的貨幣。比特幣不像傳統貨幣那樣由央行來發行管理，而是完全依托互聯網來運行。比特幣由一個計算機網絡來“印制”，一款特制軟件在該網絡中運行，以固定穩定的頻率發行新幣，目前的頻率為每十分鐘出25個比特幣。跟你兜里的現金不一樣的是，比特幣的數量是有限的，目前整個系統內大約有1080萬個比特幣。雖說該幣種早有價值不穩定的罵名，不過每個比特幣目前的平均價值基本保持在35美元左右。而且，跟很多傳統貨幣一樣，比特幣也有它自己的貨幣符號（像￡, $, €等）和貨幣代碼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，比特幣是怎么流通的呢？要購買比特幣，用戶需要通過一個在線兌換服務將他們當地的貨幣換成這種虛擬貨幣。然后，這些電子貨幣就會被存儲在用戶的賬戶中，這個賬戶也被稱為電子錢包，而錢包中的比特幣就可以在任何接受該幣種的地方被用于網上交易。你也可在一些專門的交易網站將比特幣兌換成傳統貨幣。

相關閱讀

“虛擬錢幣”怎么說

網絡“白客”是什么人

網上銷贓 e-fence/efence

（中國日報網英語點津 Helen）

點擊查看更多英語習語和新詞