What is Bitcoin?

摘要

In its simplest definition, Bitcoin is a form of digital currency that is created by specialized computers around the world. These computers are competing with each other to solve mathematical equations. When a computer completes the equations, it gets to unlock a set of Bitcoins. The computers make up a network, one that is not controlled by any government or authority, the theory being that no entity can tinker with monetary policy and cause a meltdown. 1.Among the rules that apply to Bitcoin is a cap of 21 million on the number of Bitcoins that can be "mined" by the computers. Bitcoins can be divided into smaller portions - the smallest amount is one hundred millionth of a Bitcoin and is called a Satoshi, after the pseudonym of Bit-coin's founder, Satoshi Nakamoto, who has since vanished. (If he ever existed. Let's just say the details are murky). 2.How much is a Bitcoin worth in dollars? It depends on the day, because the currency fluctuates - sometimes wildly, as it did on Dec. 6, falling 25% from over $1,100 per BTC to below $830. On Jan. 6, Bitcoin climbed back above $1,000 when online gaming company Zynga announced it was testing accepting payments in Bitcoin.