不再相信政府，那就“挖矿”吧比特币投资狂想曲

“比特币可以避开一切金融暴政，特别是在与资本管制和资产没收斗争的时候。”

“ Bitcoin can avoid all financial tyranny, especially when fighting capital control and asset forfeiture.

爆发于2013年3月的塞浦路斯危机，为比特币的缘起和应用制造了一个鲜活场景。

The Cyprus crisis, which erupted in March 2013, created a living scene for the start-up and application of Bitcoin.

链接

比特币如何获得？

开采比特币就像参加一个奥数竞赛，用户在自己电脑上下载并运行比特币程序，程序则按照比特币的算法公式自动计算数学题，首个解正确答案的计算机能获得一定数量的比特币。在这个竞赛中，智力高的计算机将获得优势。但是由于比特币系统的分散化编程，以及用户大量增加，目前单台计算机开采比特币可能耗时数年才能成功，现在更普遍的方式是用户协同开采，然后分成。受其计算方式所限，到2040年比特币将达到其上限2100万。

比特币能否兑换现金？

答案是肯定的。你只需与比特币交易机构取得联系即可完成兑换，其中Mt. Gox是目前最为流行的比特币交易平台，不过现在该平台仅通过一款应用程序接纳新成员。除此之外还有几家规模较大的交易所，能够进行比特币兑换和交易。

去哪儿了解更多关于比特币的信息？

目前可以通过多种渠道了解到关于比特币的信息，Bitcoin subreddit和Bitcoin Magazine都是比特币的消息源。

（根据网络信息整理）

《比特币，史上最危险的货币？》）

Specifically, Bitcoin is generated through a complex algorithm based on a code code code, a rule that is decentralised without any individual or organization interference; anyone can download and run a Bitcoin client and participate in the manufacture of bitcoin (mining); Bitcoin uses electronic signatures for circulation, verifying duplicate consumption through a P2P distributed network. Every bit of Bitcoin is generated, consumed, recorded and communicated via the P2P distributed network, and there is no possibility of forgery. (For details, Bitcoin, the most dangerous currency in history? )

2010年末神秘创始人中本聪彻底退出比特币项目。在一群来自全球的志愿者维护、更新下，这套规则持续运转至今。货币是用于交换的一般等价物。比特币不与任何实物挂钩，但可以直接用来交换服务和物品，或者把它兑换成真实货币。

By the end of 2010, the mysterious founder of the Bitcoin project, Bennett, completely withdrew from the Bitcoin project. The rules were maintained and updated by a group of volunteers from around the world. Currency is a generic equivalent for exchange. Bitcoin is not tied to anything in kind, but can be used directly to exchange services and goods, or to convert it into real money.

2013年4月12日，《华盛顿邮报》博客作者尼尔·欧文（Neil Irwin）在《华盛顿邮报》网站写了一篇博客，《比特币是可笑的，但它告诉我们关于货币本质的一些重要事实》。他认为比特币因没有政府认可而永远不会被用于正式交易，其供应上限（按照中本聪对比特币的设计，比特币的“挖矿”止于2040年，一共产生2100万枚）也许可以确保不会产生通货膨胀，但实际上也意味着它永远不能被广泛使用。之后他又在Twitter上质疑，“怎么会有人想到发明比特币这种东西呢？”

On April 12, 2013, Neil & Middot, the author of the Washington Post blog; Neil Irwin, who wrote a blog on the Washington Post website, “Bitcoin is ridiculous, but it tells us some important facts about the nature of the money.” He believes that Bitcoin will never be used for official transactions, and that its supply ceiling (in line with the design of Bitcoin & ldquo; mine mining & rdquo; a total of 21 million produced in 2040) may ensure that inflation does not occur, but it actually means that it will never be widely used. He then questions it on Twitter, &ldquao; how could anyone think of inventing something like Bitcoin? & & rdquo;

“因为我们不相信政府的错误观念。”约翰·马特尼斯（Jon Matonis）在Twitter上回应道。马特尼斯曾是VISA的首席外汇交易员，因为对自由市场货币和不涉及政治的数字货币感兴趣，而加入了比特币志愿者，并成为其布道者，现在是比特币基金会的董事。

& ldquo; because we don't believe in government misconceptions. & & & rdquo; John & Middot; and Jon Matonis responded on Twitter.

马特尼斯对南方周末记者表示，尼尔·欧文之所以问这个问题，因为他不理解比特币。比特币可以避开一切金融暴政，特别是在与资本管制和资产没收斗争的时候。

Matnis said to the South weekend journalist, Neil & Middot; Owen asked the question because he did not understand bitcoin. Bitcoin could avoid all financial tyranny, especially in the fight against capital controls and asset forfeiture.

2013年3月28日，保罗·福特（Paul Ford）在彭博《商业周刊》发表《比特币可能成为全球经济最后的避险天堂》。他写道：“作为全球经济中的一张结算单，比特币是可笑的。但是作为被剥夺者和受质疑者的货币，它再严肃不过。”

On March 28, 2013, Paul & Middot; Paul Ford published " Bitcoin may become the last safe haven for the global economy" in Bloomberg's Business Weekly. He wrote: “ Bitcoin is ridiculous as a settlement in the global economy. But it is more serious as a currency for the deprived and questioned.

波动意味着利润

Volatility means profit

比特币的未来，是和更多的商业、更多的支付应用融为一体。

The future of Bitcoin is one with more commercial and more payment applications.

不过，人们最关心的莫过于比特币的投资价值如何衡量。继2013年4月10日，比特币到达266美元的高点之后，其价值瞬间坠落至105美元，又被拉高到160美元，目前在67美元附近振荡（截至2013年4月17日）。

However, nothing is more important than how Bitcoin’s investment value is measured. Following the high point of $266 on April 10, 2013, the value fell to $105, was pulled up to $160, and is currently oscillating near $67 (as of April 17, 2013).

比特币的暴涨暴跌引发了新一轮的口水战。

The surge and collapse of Bitcoin triggered a new saliva battle.

菲利克斯·三莫（Felix Salmon）在其路透社的博客中认为，比特币显然不是一个有效的储值方式——只要看看财富蒸发的速度有多快。它也不是一个有用的付款机制，看看它的价值波动的速度有多快。目前，一个比特币的交易可能需要一个小时，这意味着交易结束时它可能与其初始价值有明显差异。

Felix & Middot; Felix Salmon, in his Reuters blog, argues that Bitcoin is clearly not an effective storage method & mdash; & mdash; just see how fast wealth evaporates. Nor is it a useful payment mechanism to see how fast its value fluctuates.

马修·奥·布莱恩（Matthew O'Brien）在《大西洋月刊》撰文，比特币是一种央行无法使之贬值、政府无法对其征税的货币，是事实上匿名的数字黄金。比特币是一种让人印象深刻、打算彻底变革世界的技术产品，可是其以十亿美元计的估值，缺乏有说服力的基础。比特币不再是一种货币，而是终极互联网股票。

Matthew & Middot; O· Matthew O'Brien, in the Atlantic Monthly, wrote that Bitcoin is a currency that central banks cannot devalue and the government cannot tax. Bitcoin is de facto anonymous digital gold. Bitcoin is an impressive technological product that intends to revolutionize the world once and for all, but it is valued at billions of dollars and lacks a convincing basis. Bitcoin is no longer a currency, but is the ultimate Internet stock.

尽管有对比特币泡沫化的质疑，但是这并不能阻止投资界对比特币的兴趣。

Despite the challenge of the bubbleing of Bitcoin, this does not deter the investment community from becoming interested in Bitcoin.

光速风险投资公司（Lightspeed Venture）合伙人杰米里·刘（Jeremy Liew）在TechCrunch撰文讨论为何风投会看上比特币市场，因为比特币在钱包（比特币存储）、交易（比特币与真实货币兑换）、支付（比特币可用于商业支付）三个环节都有利可图。

Jamie & Middot, partner of Lightspeed Venture; Jeremy Liew wrote at TechCrunch to discuss why the wind pitch would look at the Bitcoin market because Bitcoin was profitable in the wallet (bitcoin storage), in the transaction (bitcoin exchange for real money), and in the payment (bitcoin for commercial payment).

光速公司已经投资了两家比特币创业公司，其中一家叫做OpenCoin。除了光速风险投资公司，OpenCoin还得到了安德森·霍洛维茨基金（Andreessen Horowitz）创始人基金（Founders Fund）的投资。

The company has invested in two Bitcoin start-ups, one of which is OpenCoin. In addition to the company, OpenCoin has received investment from Andersen & Middot; and the Founder Fund of the Horowitz Foundation.

另外两家提供比特币账户与传统银行账户整合服务的创业公司，Coinbase和CoinLab，已经开始与硅谷银行合作，目标是将比特币主流化。

Two other start-up companies, Coinbase and CoinLab, which provide the integration of Bitcoin accounts with traditional bank accounts, have started working with Silicon Valley Bank with the aim of mainstreaming Bitcoin.

因起诉Facebook而出名的文克莱沃斯（Winklevoss）兄弟，自2012年夏天开始在囤积比特币，他们称自己目前持有比特币发行总量的1%。

Winklevos, a brother known for prosecuting Facebook, has been hoarding bitcoins since the summer of 2012, claiming that they currently hold 1 per cent of the total amount of bitcoins issued.

两年前，WeUseCoins.com网站创始人托马斯曾在苏黎世给毕马威公司讲过比特币。尽管在比特币社区里也见过一些金融业人士，当时他的总体印象是，金融业人士觉得它很有吸引力，但是它的体量太小了，还不足以让他们加入并投资。

Two years ago, Thomas, the founder of WeUseCoins.com’s website, spoke to KPMG in Zurich about Bitcoin. Although some financialians were seen in the Bitcoin community, his overall impression was that they found it attractive, but it was too small to allow them to join and invest.

现在，流通中的比特币价值在十亿美元左右，比特币正在吸引更多的金融、华尔街人士参与。

Now, bitcoin in circulation is worth about a billion dollars, and bitcoin is attracting more financial, Wall Street people.

在托马斯看来，当更多专业金融机构参与到比特币交易，意味着人们将可能使用更多的比特币衍生物和契约来避免汇率风险。比如，有人担心比特币价格下降，可以购买期权来避险。此外，如果能够吸引一些专业庄家加入，他们将会平衡那些短视、冲动的新投资者们，将波动减弱。

For Thomas, when more professional financial institutions are involved in bitcoin transactions, it means that more bitcoin derivatives and contracts may be used to avoid exchange-rate risks. For example, some fear that bitcoin prices will fall and buy options to avoid risk.

马特尼斯也认为，更多金融界人士加入比特币，是未来比特币发展（并作为一种世界贸易货币）的一个很好且必要的条件。随着市场深度和流动性扩大，可以通过引入期货市场，为套期保值者、投机者提供风险管理，来缓和比特币的汇率波动。

Matnis also believes that greater financial participation in Bitcoin is a good and necessary condition for future bitcoin development (and as a world trade currency). As markets expand in depth and liquidity, exchange rate fluctuations can be eased by introducing futures markets, risk management for hedgers and speculators.

眼下，纽约一家公司Coinsetter获得了50万美元的投资，计划做一个比特币的外汇交易市场，允许人们进行基于保证金的杠杆和卖空交易。这些交易方式在成熟市场上很普遍，但是在比特币市场上几乎没有。

Now, Coinsetter, a New York-based company, has invested $500,000 in a bitcoin foreign exchange market that allows for bond-based leverage and empty sales. These transactions are common in mature markets, but they are virtually non-existent in bitcoin markets.

从目前来看，只是在比特币频繁出现在新闻中、大量新人涌入的时候，才会出现较大波动。最终，一切都会再次安静下来，价格变得更为稳定。

For the time being, it is only when bitcoin appears frequently in the news, with a large influx of newcomers, that there will be greater volatility. Ultimately, everything will calm down again and prices will become more stable.

马特尼斯对南方周末记者表示，比特币的未来，是和更多的商业、更多的支付应用融为一体。它的开源、病毒式传播特点，将使之成为现实。这一过程将需要3-5年。

Matnis said to the South weekend journalists that the future of Bitcoin is one with more commercial and more payment applications. Its open source, viral transmission, will make it a reality. This process will take three to five years.

一切刚刚开始

It's just beginning

比特币如能在一系列考验中生存下来，将改变人类对储值、金融和虚拟经济独立性的看法。

if Bitcoin survives in a series of tests, it will change the human perception of storage values, finance and virtual economic independence.

除了金融界，政治人士也对比特币渐生好感。

In addition to the financial community, politicians are also gaining an interest in Bitcoin.

2013年4月，美国第三大党自由党在其官方网站上开始接受比特币作为政治献金。

In April 2013, the Third Party Liberal Party of the United States began accepting Bitcoin as a political donation on its official website.

早在2012年秋天，一个新汉普郡的民主党代表，成为第一个接受比特币政治献金的主要党派政治家。随后，一名来自北达科他州的自由党候选人和一名来自佛蒙特州的独立州议员候选人也接受比特币作为政治献金。美国之外，加拿大自由党自2013年3月起也开始接受比特币。

As early as the autumn of 2012, the Democratic representative of a new Hampshire became the first major party politician to accept a political donation from Bitcoin. Then, a liberal candidate from North Dakota and an independent state council candidate from Vermont accepted a political contribution from Bitcoin.

那些对比特币持观望态度的人们，考虑最多的是政府监管的风险。最早比特币就因为被一个“丝绸之路”的秘密购物网站用于毒品交易，而被美国参议员查尔斯·舒莫和乔·曼钦要求司法部门介入调查。

The risks of government oversight are most considered by those who look to Bitcoin. The earliest bitcoin was used by US Senators Charles & Middot; Shomo and Joe & Middot; and Manchin asked the judiciary to intervene because they were used by an & ldquao; Silk Road & rdquao; secret shopping sites for the drug trade.

《华盛顿邮报》博客作者尼尔·欧文（Neil Irwin）认为，比特币是为一群技术乌托邦未来主义者簇拥着，一种不受国际反洗钱法、央行通胀束缚的货币。而这正是政府所不愿意看到的。

The Washington Post blog, Neil & Middot; Neil Irwin, argues that Bitcoin is a currency held by a group of techno-Utopias, free from international anti-money-laundering laws and central bank inflation. This is something that the government does not want to see.

让比特币拥趸们欢欣鼓舞的消息来自美国金融犯罪执法局（the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network，简称FinCEN）。2013年3月18日，该局针对比特币发表了一则关于管理、交易和使用虚拟货币的规范，这被认为是官方将承认比特币合法化的信号。在欧洲，情况还不是那么明朗，但它们在这类事务上通常会追随美国的做法。

On March 18, 2013, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Agency (FinCEN) published a regulation on the management, trading and use of virtual currency, which is considered to be the official signal that Bitcoin will be recognized as legalized. In Europe, the situation is not so clear, but they usually follow US practice in such matters.

马特尼斯认为，美国金融犯罪执法局对虚拟货币的规范，是吸引风投关注比特币的重要原因。

According to Matnis, the regulation of virtual currency by the United States Financial Crime Enforcement Agency is an important reason for attracting attention to Bitcoin.

眼下，越来越多人开始加入比特币大军，根据全球最大开源软件开发平台SourceForge.net的统计，截至2013年4月15日，比特币一共被下载超过270万次。其中，4月的前15天就被下载了36万次，创历史最高水平。这还不包括多个针对移动互联网的比特币App应用。

As of April 15, 2013, more than 2.7 million bitcoins had been downloaded. Of these, 360,000 were downloaded in the first 15 days of April, the highest level ever. This does not include several Bitcoins App applications for mobile Internet.

马特尼斯向南方周末记者强调，来自政府的规范，影响的是交易平台，而不是比特币支付网络。此外，作为非营利组织的比特币基金会，至今没有受到任何来自政府的压力。

Matnis stressed to the South weekend that government regulation affected trading platforms rather than Bitcoin’s payment network. Moreover, the Bitcoin Foundation, a non-profit organization, has so far not been under any pressure from the government.

事实上，政府压力会影响到比特币的发展速度，但并不能完全抹杀它。比特币是开源项目，它的数据库存在于用户创建的分布式P2P网络中，并不会像一般的互联网公司那样，如果遭到政府查封或者关闭就会丢失一切。

In fact, government pressure can affect the pace of Bitcoin’s development, but it cannot be completely wiped out. Bitcoin is an open source project, and its database is in a distributed P2P network created by users, and it does not lose everything if it is blocked or shut down by the government, as is the case with ordinary Internet companies.

2013年以来，开源CMS管理系统WordPress、社交新闻网站Reddit、云存储服务Mega、短租公司9flats陆续宣布接收比特币付费。WordPress表示，贝宝（PayPal）不支持来自60个国家的付款，很多信用卡公司也有类似的限制，有些是政治原因，有些是因为担心诈骗。“无论什么原因，我们认为所有国家的人都应该同样享有使用我们博客平台的权利，而付费方式不应该成为障碍。”

Since 2013, the open-source CMS management system WordPress, social news website Reddit, cloud storage service Mega, and short-lease company 9flats have announced receiving Bitcoin. WordPress states that PayPal does not support payments from 60 countries, and that many credit card companies have similar restrictions, some for political reasons and some for fear of fraud.

从这个意义上来说，比特币正在以自己的方式，抹平政治带来的不平衡。

In this sense, Bitcoin is bridging the political imbalance in its own way.

比特币当然也存在瑕疵。2011年6月，黑客利用比特币最大交易平台Mt.Gox的安全漏洞，篡改了Mt.Gox的交易程序，造成比特币兑美元价格从18美元跌至0.01美元。比特币交易平台已经明显地提升了安全性，可仍有遭遇大量交易或者DDoS攻击而瘫痪的时候。

In June 2011, hackers took advantage of the security gap at Mt. Gox, the largest trading platform in Bitcoin, and tampered with Mt. Gox’s trading procedures, causing Bitcoin’s price to fall from $18 to 0.01 against the dollar. The Bitcoin trading platform has significantly improved its security, and there are still times when it has been paralysed by a large number of transactions or DDoS attacks.

DDoS全名是Distributed Denial of service （分布式拒绝服务），黑客通过很多“僵尸主机”（被攻击者入侵过或可间接利用的主机）向受害主机发送大量看似合法的网络包，从而造成网络阻塞或服务器资源耗尽而导致拒绝服务，阻止合法用户对正常网络资源的访问。

The full name of DDoS is Distributed Official of Services (distributed denial of services), and hackers send a large number of seemingly legitimate network packages to the victim's mainframe through numerous & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & ) & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & &, resulting in network jamming or server resources, resulting in denial of services and preventing legitimate users from accessing normal network resources.

Mt.Gox在最近一份关于关闭交易声明中表示，2013年4月头几天，Mt.Gox就开通了6万个新账户，平均每天开通2万个，而整个3月才开通7.5万个。同时，2013年4月11日交易规模增加了三倍。这样的发展，给交易带来了挑战。

Mt.Gox states in a recent statement on the closure of transactions that Mt.Gox opened 60,000 new accounts in the first days of April 2013, an average of 20,000 a day, compared with 75,000 in March. At the same time, the volume of transactions tripled on 11 April 2013.

为了让新手们也能更加简单和安全地使用，比特币仍然需要大量技术改进。托马斯介绍，包括Mt.Gox创始人杰德·麦卡铂（Jed McCaleb）在内的许多比特币人（Bitcoiners），已经把注意力转移到建设一个叫做涟漪（Ripple）的分布式交易和支付服务。他们希望Ripple投入使用之后，能够解决比特币使用困难的问题。

Bitcoin still needs a lot of technological improvements to make it easier and safer for newcomers to use. Thomas introduced a number of Bitcoiners, including Jed McCaleb, the founder of Mt. Gox, to the construction of a distributed transaction and payment service called Ripple. They hoped that when Ripple came into use, it would solve the problem of Bitcoin use.

比如，通过Ripple你不需要下载或者安装客户端，也不需要等待一个小时来确认交易，你更不用担心仅仅因为忘记密码而失去你的比特币。

For example, through Ripple, you don't have to download or install a client or wait an hour to confirm the transaction, and you don't have to lose your bitcoin just because you forgot the password.

弗吉尼亚大学达顿商学院教授皮特·罗德里格兹（Peter Rodriguez）接受TechCrunch的作者塞米尔·肖（Semil Shah）采访认为，比特币真正的问题不在于是否会步履蹒跚、一落千丈或者把我们带入一个狂热之境，而是能否在一系列考验中生存下来。如果它做到了，即使价值很低，它也将改变我们对储值、金融和虚拟经济独立性的看法。

Peter Rodriguez accepted TechCrunch's author, Semir· and Semil Shah found that the real problem with Bitcoin was not whether to walk, fall or lead us into a state of fanaticism, but whether it could survive a series of tests. If it did, even if it was of low value, it would change our view of the value of storage, finance and virtual economic independence.

托马斯向南方周末记者感慨，过去两年真是一段疯狂的旅程，而现在看来一切才刚刚开始。

Thomas is outraged by the fact that the last two years have been a crazy journey for journalists on the southern weekend, and now it seems that everything is just beginning.