导读:比特币是一种近几年新兴的虚拟货币，它作为一种从产生到流通全程虚拟化的货币，具有匿名保值等等特点，出现至今引起了广泛的讨论。如今这种虚拟货币的价格超过了黄金，是否标志着实体经济受到冲击，数字时代的浪潮真正向我们袭来了呢？
For the first time, a unit of the digital cryptocurrency Bitcoin has exceeded the value of an ounce of gold.
比特币作为一种数字密算货币，其一单位的价格首次超过一盎司黄金。
It peaked at $1,265 on Tuesday while a troy ounce of gold stood at $1,233.
本周二，比特币每单位价格最高达到1265美元，而每盎司金价为1233美元。
The current high is attributed to surging demand in China where authorities warn it is used to channel money out of the country.
现今比特币价格如此之高，原因在于中国的需求激增，中国政府发出警告，该货币被用于将金钱导出国外。
The past months’ surge is a major reversal for Bitcoin, which plummeted in value in 2014 after the largest exchange collapsed.
上月出现的这次增长是比特币价格的重大反弹，比特币曾在2014年最大的一次交易崩溃后价值大幅下跌。
The value of Bitcoin has been volatile since it was first launched in 2009, and many experts have questioned whether the crypto-currency will last.
比特币自2009年上线以来，其价值便波动不定，很多专家都对这种密算货币能否持续下去提出过质疑。
Earlier this year, Chinese authorities cracked down on Bitcoin trading in an attempt to stop money flowing out of the country illegally.
今年早些时候，中国政府打击了比特币贸易，想要阻止金钱非法流出国外。
But the closer scrutiny from Beijing only briefly sent the currency lower. After it had soared to record highs in January, it has since picked its steady rise in value.
但来自北京的密切监视只是单纯地让货币更加贬值。比特币自一月份创下价格新高以来，其价格正在稳步增长。
How Bitcoin works
比特币是如何运作的
Bitcoin is often referred to as a new kind of currency. Yet like all currencies its value is determined by how much people are willing to exchange it for.
比特币常常作为一种新型货币而被人提及。然而和其它货币一样，它的价值也是由人们愿意用它交换物品的价值所决定的。
To process Bitcoin transactions, a procedure called "mining" must take place, which involves a computer solving a difficult mathematical problem with a 64-digit solution.
想要进行比特币交易，一道叫做“挖矿”的程序必不可少，其中包括需要一台电脑用一个64位的解来解决一个极其困难的数学问题。
For each problem solved, one block of Bitcoins is processed. In addition the miner is rewarded with new Bitcoins.
每解决一个问题，便生成了一块比特币。除此之外矿主还会获得新的比特币作为奖励。
To compensate for the growing power of computer chips, the difficulty of the puzzles is adjusted to ensure a steady stream of new Bitcoins are produced each day.
计算机芯片的性能在不断增长，为了与之相抵消，所设谜题的难度也被不断调整，确保了每天生成的新比特币数额是稳定的。
There are currently about 15 million Bitcoins in existence.
现存的比特币数目约有1500万。
To receive a Bitcoin, a user must have a Bitcoin address - a string of 27-34 letters and numbers - which acts as a kind of virtual post-box to and from which the Bitcoins are sent.
用户若想收到一枚比特币，必须有一个比特币地址，它由一串长度为27到34个的字母和数字组成，起到了一种比特币虚拟收发邮箱的作用。
Since there is no register of these addresses, people can use them to protect their anonymity when making a transaction.
因为这样的地址没有注册表，在交易时人们的匿名性便得到了保护。
These addresses are in turn stored in Bitcoin wallets, which are used to manage savings.
这些地址被依次存储在比特币钱包中，可以用它来管理储蓄。
