聯合翻譯轉載自：http://blog.udn.com/corecorner/7818235
閱讀暖身
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。
聯合翻譯轉載自：http://blog.udn.com/corecorner/7818235
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